Astronauts – Q & A (Questions & Answers)

The following questions were answered by astronomer Dr. Cathy Imhoff of the Space Telescope Science Institute.

What are the requirements to become an astronaut?
All astronauts have some special skills, either as pilots or scientists. So they have all gone through college and gotten some experience in their particular field. I don't know of any age requirement, but the experience that is needed would probably mean that the astronauts are at least 25, more likely over 30.

How does the pressure in space affect you?
Well, there isn't any pressure, because space is nearly a vacuum. That is one of the reasons that astronauts wear spacesuits.

How and what do astronauts eat in space?
My friend Ron was an astronaut who rode on two shuttle missions. He told me that they eat whatever doesn't have to be refrigerated. So at first they eat up the fresh fruit and vegetables, so they don't spoil. Then they eat the packaged meals that you heat up. They have to use a sort of toaster oven though, they can't use a microwave on the shuttle. I think by the end of their trip the food gets pretty boring!

Why do the astronauts on the space shuttle sleep in those cabinets? Why don't they sleep in the seats that they take off in?
The astronauts sleep in a particular spot so that they don't drift around in the shuttle while they sleep. If I remember correctly, they sleep in something more like a sleeping bag (although I could be wrong). Also, the astronauts say that they feel more comfortable with the feeling of something around them rather than floating free. The sleeping area is away from the command cabin so that the noise and activity doesn't bother them. Usually there are two teams of astronauts, each working 12-hour shifts. One team works while the other eats, sleeps, and exercises.

Does weightlessness in space have a long-term effect on the human body?
I understand that one problem is that the bones lose some calcium. Exercise helps, but it doesn't stop this completely. This is a major area of study for manned spaceflight. The Russian cosmonauts have a lot of experience in long missions on their space station Mir. NASA is also gaining experience with this. It's a problem we will need to solve before we send people to Mars. It's a LOOOONG trip!

Why can't a person go into a spaceship with everything he needs and see all of the planets?
To go to Mars would take at least a year. You would need to take in your spaceship all the air, food, and toilet paper for a year. Right now you would need such a big, heavy spaceship that you couldn't launch it! So people are finding ways to reduce the weight — for instance you can use plants to help generate the oxygen you need to breathe. Also we worry about what will happen to people who spend so long in weightlessness. Their bones may become so soft that they won't be able to stand up on Mars to walk around and explore!

What is it like in space?
Empty, dark, hot on one side (where the sun shines), and cold on the other (in shadow)!

How long does it take to actually get into space after the launch?
It takes 8.5 minutes to reach space after launch.

What shape must you be in, physically and mentally?
To be an astronaut you must be in good physical shape (but not an athlete!) and ready to work with the rest of the crew without getting mad at anyone in close quarters over the length of the flight.

What kind of training must an astronaut go through?
An astronaut must undergo extensive practice on the experiments that will be operated during the mission; training on living in space like eating, sleeping, going to the bathroom, housekeeping; and emergency procedure practice in case you have to get out in a hurry under many circumstances both on the pad and in flight.

What does it feel like to be floating?
Wild!!! It is like going down a hill on a roller coaster! Maybe a combination between that and being in a swimming pool without the viscosity of the water.