Astronaut

space · explorers · science

Space travelers. Astronauts are people trained, equipped, and sent into space to fly or work aboard a spacecraft.

Many jobs. Astronauts can be commanders, crew members, or scientists, and sometimes even space tourists get the name too.

Tough training. People earn the title by passing special training courses, even before they've actually flown into space.

Official word. In the United States, three agencies officially use the term: NASA, the FAA, and the military.