Astronaut

How it is used

Space agencies select, train and fly astronauts. Common crew roles include commander, pilot and mission specialist. Russia uses the word 'cosmonaut', and English-language media often call Chinese astronauts 'taikonauts'.

Example sentences

1. The astronauts spent six months on the space station running experiments.

2. She trained as an astronaut for four years before her first flight.

Common collocations

• astronaut training
• astronaut candidate
• become an astronaut
• astronaut corps
• fellow astronaut

Related terms

• spacewalkA period when an astronaut leaves the spacecraft and works outside in space, wearing a spacesuit. The technical name is extravehicular activity (EVA).
• space stationA large spacecraft that stays in orbit for years, where crews live and work for long periods and carry out experiments in microgravity.
• spacesuitA sealed, pressurised suit that protects an astronaut from vacuum, extreme temperatures and radiation and supplies oxygen to breathe.
• crew capsuleThe small spacecraft that carries astronauts to and from space. It sits on top of a rocket for launch and returns to Earth under parachutes.
• spaceflightTravel into or through space by a spacecraft, with or without people on board. 'Human spaceflight' means missions that carry crews.

More terms: Astronauts & Human Spaceflight

• microgravity
• life support