Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

46

On April 12, 1961, the world watched in

wonder as Yuri Gagarin of russia blasted off

from Earth aboard a huge rocket and entered

space. He was the first cosmonaut—the

russian word for astronaut, a person trained

to work in space. Eight years later, an

American, neil Armstrong, walked on the

moon and became the first human being to

step on to another world. Since then, a few

hundred other astronauts, both men and

women, have voyaged into space. Astronauts

have jobs to do during their missions. They

built the international Space Station and now

perform scientific experiments there under

the weightless conditions of space. Today,

as tro nauts are preparing for the next major

landmarks in space exploration: to go back

to the moon and then perhaps to Mars.

SpAcESuiT

Space is a perilous place for a human being.

There is no air to breathe, and without a spacesuit

for protection, an astronaut would explode. This is

because the human body is built to function under

the constant pressure of Earth’s atmosphere, which

is not present in space.

livinG in SpAcE

While on board a spacecraft, astronauts

consume the same kind of food and drink as they do on Earth.

There is usually no bath or shower; astronauts wash with damp

cloths instead. regular exercise is essential, because living in

weightless conditions can weaken bones and muscles.

TrAininG

people have to undergo long

training programs to become

astronauts. They also must be very

fit. These cosmonauts are practicing

working under weightless conditions

using a life-size model of a Salyut

spacecraft inside a huge water tank.

The suit’s inner layer

holds in the oxygen

while the middle layers

keep in the heat. The

outer layer is made of

waterproof and fire-

resistant materials.

Control panel allows the

astronaut to adjust

the temperature and

oxygen flow in the suit.

AstronAuts

space travel Astronauts and

Weightlessness

We have weight because of the

pull of Earth’s gravity. in space,

gravity holds the astronauts and

their spacecraft in orbit around

Earth. But there is no force holding

the astronauts to their spaceship,

so they float around inside it. This

is called weightlessness.

Find out more

Gravity

rockets and missiles

Soviet union, history of

Space flight

Astronauts wear a “maximum absorbency

garment,” which serves as a giant diaper.

Glove with

rubber

fingertips

Colored stripes help

astronauts identify each other.

Tethers attach the

astronaut to the

space station or ship.

Battery-powered

drill for tightening

and loosening bolts

Visor

TV camera

Drink bag

Tool belt

Cosmonaut Salizhan

S. Shapirov

installing navigation

and communication

equipment outside

the International

Space Station.

The heel of the boot attaches to the spacecraft

or station to hold the astronaut securely.

Special exercise

machines help the

astronauts keep fit.

On some spacecraft,

astronauts sleep in

sleeping bags attached

to the cabin walls.

Food and drinks

come in special

packs that do not

spill. There is an

oven to heat food.

There is no air in space to carry

sound waves, so astronauts

communicate by radio.

Main life support

system contains

oxygen tanks,

electrical battery,

water-cooling

system, and radio.

Helmet lights

The rescue unit

helps an untethered

astronaut fly back

to the spacecraft

or station.

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