The great development that man has witnessed in the space industry during the past few decades was not sufficient to move all of humanity outside the Earth, but rather it was a period that was monopolized by a limited group of individuals.
The issue of finding or even encountering astronauts is extremely rare. According to the modern population, out of 8 million people, there is only one astronaut.
Being an astronaut in this era is not only exciting, but rather a uniqueness that puts you among a human elite of nearly 600 astronauts of different nationalities and races.
Of course, the Americans occupy the largest share of this participation, followed by the Russians, then the Chinese, the Japanese and the rest of the countries, and there are 11 Muslim astronauts, including 3 Arab astronauts.
And in March of this year, the Russian capsule “Soyuz” returned to Earth, coming from the International Space Station, with the American astronaut “Mark Vande Heye” and his two Russian colleagues “Anton Shkaplerov” and “Pyotr Dobrov” on board, and only a few minutes passed. From breaching the atmosphere until the capsule landed on a pasture in the Kazakh lands.
It was - as it seemed - a very familiar scene, rescue teams and helicopters hovering over the umbrella that covered the capsule, and the rising dust had hidden the features of the vehicle after the collision, and it was only another few minutes until the astronauts were taken out of that hard, narrow shell, and it seemed that heartbreak was drawn on The face of “Fandy” who waved his hands to the photographers, his black glasses tightly curved at his sides.
He later explained that this was the last time he would go into space as he had promised his wife, after spending a total of 355 days in outer space.1
This is a record registered in his name for the most period of stay in space intermittently. These are the moments when he realized that his year-long journey was nearing the end, and that it was the last meeting he had with the Earth in its greatness from outside the atmosphere.
Now all he has to do is go back to the old monotonous life, and it may take some time for the body to get used to the new gravity system, but how did the story start from the ground up, and how can someone be an astronaut?
Bodily capabilities and knowledge.. Criteria for selecting an astronaut
Today, the criteria for selecting an astronaut may differ from one agency to another according to the country's policy, but it was an easier procedure in the past, as was the case with the most famous space agencies in the world.
US space agency NASA.
The process of selecting and selecting astronauts in the fifties of the last century was a matter sponsored by the American military system, so we find that the first astronauts were military, and those who had experience in flying jet planes, in addition to a single condition, as the length of the candidates should not exceed 1.8 m. to fit the size of the Mercury spacecraft.
Strenuous test exercises to test the potential of astronaut candidates
But in 1964, the US space agency NASA added another essential condition related to engineering and scientific knowledge and the ability to apply it. We find that the agency began to pursue the recruitment and selection of scientists with a doctorate in medicine or engineering, or in natural sciences such as physics, chemistry or biology.
With the passage of time, the selectivity in the selection process increased, and the criteria became more stringent, but the area widened to include both civilians and military personnel in the possibility of joining the astronaut club, and the criteria applied today can be summarized as follows:
The American nationality.
Obtain a master's degree in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including biological, physical, or computer science, from an accredited institution.
Professional experience of at least two years after graduation, or at least 1,000 hours of piloting a jet aircraft.
Ability to pass physical training for long-duration NASA flights.2
As for the requirements for joining the Russian Federal Space Agency “Roscosmos”, the matter depends on several points in common with its predecessor, and with an age limit that does not exceed 35 years, in addition to the need to obtain Russian citizenship, with some details related to weight and height for male and female candidates. .3
Apart from the need to enjoy an appropriate state of health, the Russians take into account some of the values that go into the selection process, including discipline in temperament, creative potential, memory power, maintaining mental balance under difficult circumstances, and so on.
“Candidate to be an astronaut.” A race to NASA
NASA announces from time to time the opening of registration and joining according to its schedule of tasks, the last of which was in March 2020, and it witnessed a great turnout, as the number of applicants reached more than 12 thousand people, and in a general circumstance, their eligibility is confirmed and those who do not meet the conditions are excluded. Finally they are called to NASA centers for some procedures.4
The applicants spend a full week of interviews, medical examinations, and adaptability tests, then the final decision is made regarding those who receive the nomination card, and everyone is informed of the latest results, and that day may be the most exciting for the applicants, and whoever obtains approval is officially called a “candidate to be a pioneer.” space” or “filter” for short.
From that moment on, the real work begins to prepare and prepare the candidate for ascent to space in a long period of time that takes two years of work, in order to become fully qualified.
Announcement from the European Space Agency "ESA" to join the astronaut training program
The candidate undergoes extensive physical training and higher education that enables him to familiarize himself with the space environment, and understand the nature of the International Space Station as well as how the space shuttle operates.
The training schedule differs slightly from one agency to another. For example, the training is divided into 3 stages according to the regulations of the European Space Agency “ESA” (ESA), which are basic training, advanced training, and then additional specific training that depends on the nature of the mission.5
But in any case, in this article we will adopt the NASA model exclusively to maintain the gradual and sequential stages, as the candidates are registered in the Astronaut Office at the Johnson Space Center in Texas, and from there begins the training and evaluation journey that continues Almost two years.
Sports education and training programmes.. Thresholds in the way of space
In basic training, the candidate undergoes an integrated program on the basics of knowledge that deals with the technical and scientific side of the mission, starting from the lowest levels of knowledge common to all candidates, to the advanced level that the astronaut specializes in later.
These technical sciences deal with spaceflight engineering, electrical engineering, fluid dynamics, propulsion engineering, astrophysics, and materials science. The program includes an introduction to some sciences in the absence of gravity, such as human physiology, biology, and so on.
Candidates are also required to learn Russian to facilitate communication with the rest of the astronauts on the International Space Station.
This is followed by a general study and understanding of all space systems, as is the case with the International Space Station systems, including the structure and internal design of the station, the guidance and control unit, the thermal control unit, the electric power generation and distribution mechanism, the system of activities outside the station, and the support system. Life that provides oxygen and water and takes advantage of carbon dioxide and waste.
Dressed in full spacesuits, astronauts would submerge underwater for a potential space mission
As part of the basic training, candidates are required to complete military training in how to survive in the water before embarking on flight-related programmes. Candidates also receive special scuba diving (SCUBA) programs to prepare them for spacewalk training.
During the first month, all candidates must pass the swimming exam, which requires 3 rounds of a 25-meter pool without stopping, and then again 3 more rounds, but with a flying suit without a time limit.
Then, through the altitude simulation room, the candidates are exposed to the critical conditions associated with high and low atmospheric pressure as well, and they are guided on how to deal with emergencies associated with these conditions.
As for a zero-gravity environment, the candidates go through a unique experience while on the ground within a training framework in an aircraft dedicated to creating an environment that simulates space, known as “Zero-G” flights.
The effect of zero gravity results from the plane's ascending trajectory, which changes mathematically according to the curvature of the parabola. This effect takes a maximum of 22 seconds, which is sufficient to leave an impression on the trainees about the nature of the space environment, and this process continues 40 times a day.
Here we reach the last stage, which is the evaluation stage. If the candidates complete the training and achieve the success mark, they will officially become "astronauts", and those who fail to achieve this will be transferred to other positions within the agency, depending on the need and vacant places.
Commenting on the basic exercises, the former astronaut and pilot in the Belgian Air Force, Frank de Winne, indicates that the participant in the basic exercises gets fundamental answers to some questions.
Like what does the International Space Station look like?
And what does it feel like to be an astronaut?
What are the tasks expected of you in the future?6
Four hours underwater equals an hour in the sky
Here are the astronauts, now that they have come a long way, and they are ready to face the real challenges in space. It is the turn of advanced qualitative training to put them in the most difficult challenges. In this, the astronauts are trained to work on all the systems that we mentioned above, and to learn about all possible faults and how to treat them if necessary. necessary.
Among the advanced exercises is working underwater at the “Sonny Carter” training facility, or the “Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory” facility, and it contains a large swimming pool 62 meters long, 31 meters wide and 12 meters deep, and the pool contains 22.7 million liters of water.
Trained astronauts undergo hours of immersion in a simulated space float
This facility provides an environment that simulates a space environment, where astronauts wear suits designed to provide neutral buoyancy, simulating the zero gravity that astronauts experience while performing their extravehicular activities.
It does not seem easy at all, but it is a arduous experience, and the trainee's body must adapt to the lack of gravity by making a double effort to move and control his movement while wearing his inflatable suit, as it is closer to being a training in controlling the dynamics of the body under an exceptional circumstance.
Underwater exercises may last about 7 hours a day, while specialists believe that 4 hours of underwater training is equivalent to an hour of work outside the International Space Station.7
Among the underwater exercises, replica models of some parts of the International Space Station or models of spacecraft are used and are called “mock-ups”, in order to create a familiar environment for the astronauts in all the details before going into space.8
After achieving the required goal of the level of training, and as soon as the astronaut becomes fully ready to take on the challenge, NASA determines the launch dates for all the tasks that the astronauts were previously assigned to, and with the announcement of the return of man again to the moon, the astronauts await trips that will take them to other worlds, and perhaps Mars is one of those stations expected in the future.
Maintenance of the station and conducting experiments and research.. The tasks of the astronaut
After we reviewed the long journey that the astronaut travels to reach his desired goal, it has become necessary to see the tasks of the astronaut while he is in outer space. In light of the isolation he is exposed to and his distance from his family and social life for long periods, he lives under great psychological and physical pressure. And continuous, but thanks to rigorous training, he is able to accomplish his tasks assigned to him and for which he became an astronaut.
The Canadian arm of the International Space Station allows astronauts to perform missions in space
And if we are talking about the International Space Station, there is a wide range of responsibilities that are divided into two parts.
Missions inside the station, and missions outside the station.
It can be summarized in the following points:
carry out activities outside the station;
Either to install new tools and devices, or to work on external maintenance for any defect or damage.
Conducting scientific experiments in various fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, materials science, meteorology and geology.
Develop new technologies that can be used in space exploration or to facilitate the construction of space settlements.
Communicate with mission control staff to report findings or issues that arise during the course of the mission.
Rigorous testing to determine how well astronauts can perform their jobs under pressure.
Conduct research and development related to robotics, in cooperation with engineers on the ground.
Conduct science experiments in space to help scientists understand phenomena in zero-gravity environments.
Monitoring the status of all systems on board spacecraft and identifying any malfunction, damage or damage.
In the meantime, the astronauts must be prepared for any emergency that occurs in the spacecraft, according to the instructions they receive as part of their basic training, such as the outbreak of fires, disruption of the oxygen supply, loss of contact with the Earth, or an imbalance in atmospheric pressure inside the vehicle, and other problems. that threaten the safety of the pioneers.
Future Pioneers.. Research Tours on the Moon and Mars
Despite the busy schedule that awaits the astronaut upstairs, his working hours are not much different from what they are on Earth. Rather, his day begins quite naturally with breakfast, then he starts working with an hour break for lunch, and then he continues to work after that until his work ends. Before eating dinner, and between this and that there are breaks for hot drinks and some snacks.
Contrary to what is popular that the astronaut's mission is centered on his role in space only, the fact is that this is a small part of his job, which includes working from space stations on Earth, where he spends most of his time when his service ends at the top.
In order to conquer Mars, astronaut training will become more strenuous and longer
In any case, that pattern of business - as it seems - is about to change, as the new space projects require different new tasks. For example, we are about to return to the moon after a break of more than 50 years within the "Artemis" program, and the crew of astronauts. Those assigned to this project will be tasked with conducting research tours of the lunar surface, working to take soil samples, install scientific equipment, and operate robotic devices.
And the same for Mars in the long term, as it will be a different type of mission than what astronauts are used to today.
A people who do not shower and swallow toothpaste.. Alien diaries
Now that the astronaut has landed his first step aboard the International Space Station at an altitude of 400 km from Earth, or rather, he has begun his first float inside it, his body will begin to adapt or he will commit himself to that in search of adaptation.
All the patterns of life that he will encounter will be different from what he has been accustomed to throughout his life.
All habits change, starting from personal care and hygiene that require special handling. In light of the irregular movement of fluids and water in an environment where there is no gravity, bathing is not
Absolutely not, and this is the fact that astronauts do not shower, and instead they use a wet towel to wipe their bodies with it, and they wash their hair with “shampoo” without water.
In space, there is no bathing with water, but rather wiping the body with a towel soaked in soap
As for dental hygiene, the process does not differ much from its condition on the ground, except that the mouth should be closed as much as possible to avoid any drops flying around, which may harm the eye. The paste used is edible and therefore should be swallowed, and the mouth should be cleaned with any damp cloth. .
As for defecation, there are special toilets that work with suction tubes that carry waste and waste away through an air duct below the room (toilet), then any solids are compressed and stored for later disposal.
As for the liquid materials, they are recycled and used for drinking water through the process of chemical analysis, due to the scarcity of resources, which is a very safe and effective method.9
Al Rowad Foods.. From mashed meat meal to hundreds of varieties
At the level of eating, the matter is more detailed here. In the past, food was dried or mashed to be the consistency of toothpaste, then stored in aluminum tubes or cans, so that it facilitates the process of delivering it to the mouth without hardship in an environment where there is no gravitational force, and the Russian astronaut “Yuri Gagarin” “The first to ascend into outer space, and the first to eat a meal as well in space, as his meal consisted of mashed meat and chocolate paste stored in designated tubes.
With the passage of time, the quality of food improved and diversified until today it is very similar to what is on earth, in taste and perhaps in shape as well, and according to specialists, there are three main meals in the diet in addition to some available snacks that can be eaten at any time, provided that Raed consumes Space 2,500 calories a day.
Food is divided according to the following groups:
Fresh foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are kept in temporary refrigerators, provided that they are consumed within two days to avoid rotting, and stopping eating them later does not constitute any obstacle, because there are other sources for obtaining vitamins and other nutrients.
Irradiated foods such as meat and dairy products that are exposed to ionizing radiation reduce the risks associated with microbial contamination, extending their lifespan and protecting crew from disease.
Medium-moisture foods, and these foods contain a small amount of liquid (water) enough to prevent bacteria from growing on them, and several processes are used to prepare these foods, such as drying and salting.
Prepared foods in their natural form without the need for intervention, such as nuts, biscuits and chocolate that are ready to eat.
Food preparation is supervised by several institutes and laboratories that specialize only in preparing food for astronauts. For example, the “Space Food System Laboratory” at the “Johnson Space Center” undertakes the task of preparing food for the American space crew on the International Space Station, as There are nearly 200 items of food available, as well as some personal dishes that astronauts will love to eat on their long journey.10
Protecting the body.. Fitness exercises on the space station
There is nothing left for us but about the necessity of physical preparation and staying in an excellent state of health, because the effect of lack of gravity on the body is dangerous, whether at the level of bone calcification and erosion, or the inability of vital organs to complete tasks properly, so the simplest tasks such as using a computer become difficult.
Walking or walking in space is exhausting, and puts great pressure on the muscles and strains them, which obliges the astronauts to exercise to maintain their physical fitness. There is a treadmill and an exercise bike (without tires), which the astronauts use daily for at least two hours.
There are some pulleys and ropes to train the muscles of the hand and shoulders with resistance exercises to keep them in shape as well.
Two hours of compulsory daily exercise by the astronaut on the International Space Station to keep fit
Although - as it seems - an environment that is not similar to Earth at all, it is in any case an experience that will be the most beautiful in the life of an astronaut. We should not forget that on weekends someone will sit at one of the windows of the space station overlooking the earth, contemplating that captivating scenic scene, A huge blue ball with some land and above it swarms of white clouds.
Isn't this scene worth it?
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