Whether you are looking to become an astronaut or just want to know more about space travel, this article will help you learn more about the requirements for becoming an astronaut. You will also learn about survival training and long-duration missions. Lastly, you will learn about what an astronaut wears and how to rehydrate your body during space travel.
Qualifications for becoming an astronaut
Applicants for the NASA astronaut program need to meet certain requirements. In addition to the required qualifications, they must also demonstrate their skills and knowledge.
The most important qualification for becoming an astronaut is a good education. Applicants should earn at least a bachelor’s degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field. They should also have two years of professional experience. Ideally, they should have a master’s degree, but a doctorate is also acceptable.
Applicants must also have a good medical history. Their blood pressure and visual acuity are also important. They should have 20/20 vision in both eyes.
NASA astronaut candidates must also have at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time on a jet aircraft. They must also pass a physical assessment and military water survival training. They must also have a passing score on a long-duration space flight physical exam. They must also complete a training course to learn how to operate various spacecraft systems. They must also undergo a week of interviews.
Long-duration missions
During the past half century, many successful space missions have taken place. A number of NASA astronauts have spent almost a year in space, and a few have gone longer. The International Space Station (ISS) has remained continuously occupied by rotating crews for over 20 years. It is a multidisciplinary research platform that enables astronauts to perform multidisciplinary international studies. These studies will help astronauts prepare for future human exploration missions to Mars.
Over the past few years, astronauts have spent longer periods of time in space than ever before. The total number of long-duration crewmember flights has increased to 55. The average duration of a mission is 182 days.
Although there are many successful space missions over the past 50 years, there are still many risks associated with astronaut training and living in space. Specifically, astronauts face substantial health risks.
Spacesuits
Currently, NASA is working on a new generation of spacesuits. They are designed to protect astronauts from the harsh conditions of space. This includes rapid temperature changes and the danger of micrometeorites. They also keep astronauts safe from decompression sickness.
NASA plans to spend $625.2 million on space suits through 2025. The agency has teamed up with two companies to develop the suits. The companies will be Collins Aerospace and Axiom Space.
Collins Aerospace is based in North Carolina. It has been involved in spacesuit design for over two and a half decades. The company is working on spacesuits for astronauts to wear on the Moon.
Axiom Space is based in Houston, Texas. It has been selected by NASA to develop spacesuits for astronauts on the Artemis mission. This mission aims to bring the first female astronaut to the Moon.
Rehydratable foods and drinks
During their missions in space, astronauts have access to rehydratable foods and drinks. These meals are made with a special process that eliminates microbes, pathogens and enzymes. This process is called thermostabilization. It also preserves most of the nutrients in the food.
Thermostabilized food is packaged in flexible pouches, cans or retort pouches. These containers are made to keep food fresh for months or more. They are also easy to use. The pouches are designed to be small enough to fit in the onboard trash compactor.
These containers are also designed to keep food sterile. A special straw is included in the package to keep the liquid from escaping. The beverage package also has a septum adapter and is made of a foil laminate.
Survival training
Among the many things that astronauts are required to learn are survival techniques, which include identifying safe plants and animals, surviving in the desert, and signaling for help. The instructors hope that the training will also help them develop leadership skills.
NASA astronauts learn survival techniques that are specific to the environment they will face on their missions. In particular, they learn to make shelters from materials they can find in the desert. They also learn how to build fires and how to forage for food.
NASA’s desert survival training program has been around for a long time. It began in the early 1960s, when the Mercury 7 astronauts were sent to Nevada to practice their survival skills. A few years later, the Air Force sent astronauts to the desert to test their skills.