To build up their bodies, cope with confinement and monitor machinery, astronauts must embark on rigorous training programs

WORDS AILSA HARVEY

DID YOU KNOW? In space, astronauts lose an average of 1.0 to 1.5 per cent of mineral density in weight-bearing bones per month

For many, it’s the dream career and ultimate adventure to travel hundreds of miles away from our planet and live in space. The view of Earth from orbit is something a very small minority get to experience, and for working astronauts, this prize comes with long-term dedication and commitment. Astronauts need to have extensive skills, including a scientific brain to perform experiments, physical strength and coordination to maintain a healthy body in extreme conditions and the mental hardiness to float in confined and overcrowded spaces, far from not just close family, but the entire planet. With so much of space being unexplored, astronauts need to be prepared to work under intense pressure and navigate unfamiliar environments and situations.

For most space missions, the types of astronauts required are pilots, mission specialists and payload specialists. A pilot’s first true attempt at spaceflight occurs on the date of the mission, but thanks to advanced technology they can practise with realistic simulations. These simulations can be programmed to display unique situations, testing the astronaut’s critical thinking and adaptability to new scenarios. Astronauts usually spend 300 hours in simulators before going on a mission.