Interesting facts about the training of astronauts. The most interesting facts

Interesting Facts about space tends to attract a ton of readers all over the world. The mysteries and mysteries of the Universe cannot but excite our imagination. What is hiding there, high, high in the sky? Is there life on other planets? How long does it take to get to a nearby galaxy?

Agree, everyone wants to get answers to these questions, regardless of age, gender, or, say, social status... This article will tell you about the most interesting facts about space and astronauts. Readers will learn a lot about things that they did not know about before.

Section 1. Tenth planet of the solar system

In 2003, they discovered beyond Pluto another - the tenth - planet orbiting the Sun. She was named Eris. This became possible thanks to the development modern technologies, a few decades ago, scientists did not know about such interesting facts about space and planets. Later, it was also possible to determine that beyond Pluto there are other natural ones, which, according to the decision of specialists, together with Pluto and Eris, began to be called transplutonic.

Scientists' interest in newly discovered planets is due not only to the desire for space in close proximity (by cosmic standards) to the planet Earth. It is very important to determine if the new planet can accommodate people in case of need. It is also important to assess what dangers the new object conceals for the continuation of life on Earth.

Some space researchers believe that interesting facts about space in general and the study of the features of the tenth planet in particular can help in solving the mysteries associated with unidentified flying objects, the presence on earth surface grandiose structures, as well as giant crop circles that have not found a real explanation.

Section 2. Mysterious companion Moon

Does the Moon, perfectly familiar to all earthlings, keep many secrets? Indeed, the most interesting facts about space indicate that the satellite of the planet Earth is fraught with a lot of mysteries. Here are just some of the questions, the answers to which do not yet exist.

  • Why does the moon have such big sizes? There are no more natural satellites in the solar system comparable in size to the moon - it is only 4 times smaller than our home planet!
  • How can one explain the fact that the diameter of the lunar disk during total eclipse perfectly closes the solar disk?
  • Why does the moon rotate in an almost perfect circular orbit? This is very difficult to explain, especially if you keep in mind that the orbits of all other natural satellites known to science are ellipses.

Section 3. Where is the Earth's double

Scientists claim that the Earth has a twin. It turns out that Titan, which is a satellite of Saturn, is very similar to our home planet. Titan has seas, volcanoes and a dense shell of air! Nitrogen in Titan's atmosphere is exactly the same percentage as on Earth - 75%! This is a striking similarity that undoubtedly requires a scientific explanation.

Section 4. The Mystery of the Red Planet

As you know, Mars is called the red planet of the solar system. Conditions suitable for life - the composition of the atmosphere, the possibility of the presence of reservoirs, the temperature - all this indicates that the search for living things on this planet, at least in a primitive form, is not unpromising.

It has even been scientifically confirmed that Mars has lichens and mosses. This means that the simplest forms of complex organisms exist on this celestial body... However, it is very difficult to advance in its study. Perhaps the main problematic factor is the large, which is a natural obstacle to the direct study of this planet - astronaut flights are still very limited due to imperfect technology.

Section 5. Why the flights to the moon stopped

Many interesting facts about space travel are associated with our natural satellite. The Americans have landed on the moon, Russian and Eastern experts are exploring it. However, mysteries still remain.

After a successful flight to the Moon and landing on its surface (if, of course, these facts really took place!), The study program natural satellite was practically collapsed. This turn of events is perplexing. Indeed, what is the matter?

Perhaps some understanding of this problem comes if we take into account the statement of the American who visited the Moon, that this is already occupied by such a form of life, in the fight against which humanity has no chance to withstand. Unfortunately, the general public knows practically nothing about what scientists actually know.

Despite the fact that the flights of spacecraft with astronauts to the Moon have ceased, the secrets of this extraordinary satellite invariably attract the attention of researchers on Earth. The unknown has attractive force, especially if the object is in close, by cosmic standards, proximity.

Section 6. Space Toilet

To create life support systems efficiently functioning in zero gravity is a very difficult task. The sewerage system must operate smoothly, ensuring the storage of biowaste and their timely unloading in a normal manner.

At the start of the ship and spacewalk, there is no choice but to use special diapers. These funds provide temporary, but very tangible comfort.

Interesting facts about the first manned flight into space indicate that initially the creation of plumbing fixtures for astronauts was given a very great importance... Particular attention was paid to the individual anatomical features of the crew members. Currently, the approach to equipping the sanitary zone of the spacecraft has become more universal.

Section 7. Superstitions on board

It should be noted that interesting facts about space and astronauts cannot but touch upon such everyday moments in ordinary life as, for example, traditions and beliefs.

Many people point out that astronauts are very superstitious people. For many, this statement will cause bewilderment. Is it really so? In fact, astronauts behave in such a way that it seems as if they are very suspicious people. Be sure to take a sprig of wormwood on the flight, the smell of which reminds of native land... At the start of Russian spacecraft, the song "Earth in the window" is always played.

Sergey Korolev did not like starts on Monday and even postponed the launch to another date, despite the conflicts over this. He did not give clear explanations to anyone. When the cosmonauts began to take off on Monday, by a fatal coincidence, a number of accidents occurred (!).

October 24 is a special date associated with the tragic events at Baikonur (the explosion of a ballistic missile in 1960), therefore, as a rule, work is no longer carried out at the cosmodrome on this day.

Section 8. Unknown interesting facts about space and Russian cosmonautics

The history of the development of Russian cosmonautics is a vivid series of events. It is remarkable that scientists, designers and engineers have been able to achieve success. But, unfortunately, there were also tragedies. Space exploration is an extremely difficult area associated with work in extreme conditions.

For those who value the history of space exploration very much, information about significant achievements in the development of the space industry, and seemingly small and even worthless facts is precious.

  • How many people know that the monument to Yuri Gagarin in Star City has one interesting feature- v right hand of the first astronaut jammed with a chamomile?
  • Surprisingly, the first living creatures that went to space trip, there were turtles, and not dogs at all, as is commonly believed.
  • To mislead the enemy, 2 cosmodromes were built in the 50s of the 20th century - a wooden imitation and a real structure, the distance between which was 300 km.

Section 9. Amusing discoveries and interesting facts about space for children and adults

Space discoveries made public are sometimes funny in nature, despite their real scientific value.

  • Saturn is a very light planet. If we imagine that it is possible to conduct an experiment with its immersion in water, then it will be possible to observe how this amazing planet will float on the surface.
  • The size of Jupiter is such that inside this planet it is possible to "place" all the planets that revolve in their orbits around the Sun.
  • Little-known fact - the first stellar catalog was compiled by the scientist Hipparchus in 150 BC, very far from us.
  • Since 1980, the "Lunar Embassy" has been selling areas of the lunar surface - to date, 7% of the Moon's surface has been sold (!).
  • To invent a fountain pen that could write in zero gravity, American researchers spent millions of dollars (Russian cosmonauts use a pencil to write in a spacecraft in flight, and there are no problems).

10. The most unusual statements of NASA

At the NASA center, one could repeatedly hear statements that were perceived as unusual and surprising.

  • Outside the conditions of gravity, astronauts suffer from "space sickness", the symptoms of which are pain and nausea due to the distorted functioning of the inner ear.
  • The liquid in the astronaut's body tends to the head; therefore, a blockage of the nose is observed, and the face becomes puffy.
  • The growth of a person in space becomes greater as the pressure on the spine decreases.
  • A person snoring in earthly conditions does not make any sounds in a dream under weightless conditions!

There, on the ISS, everything is not the same as on Earth. Of course, people are the same, the planet that can be seen from the window is also ours, dear.

But the conditions of being in outer space, in conditions of complete weightlessness, completely change the life of astronauts. This article lists the most interesting facts from the life of people in space.

1. You can see 16 sunrises in one day

Yes, in low orbit, the Sun rises and sets every hour and a half, so it is almost impossible to sleep with this cycle.

In order to improve the life of the ISS crew, the usual 24-hour system was created, based on the so-called Greenwich Mean Time. This is a time zone that lies somewhere halfway between Moscow and Houston.

By the way, the astronauts get up on a call, a signal sent from the MCC to the ISS. Sound signal- a melody chosen either by the astronaut himself or his family.

2. From space, you can see the stunning views of the Earth and reverse side The moon

From space, astronauts observe what will never be seen on Earth: the Earth - a blue disk on a black background, the reverse side of the Moon, and strange flashes of light in the eyes.

It turns out that this is not light at all, but cosmic radiation, which is perceived by the brain as a flash. These flashes are very harmful to the eyes, and many astronauts subsequently have vision problems.

3. "There" you get higher

This is exactly how, due to the lack of gravity of the Earth, the spine lengthens a little, and you become taller by about 5-8 centimeters.

Unfortunately, this is not very good, and this "growth" is accompanied by various complications. For example, your back may hurt, or a nerve may be pinched. Things happen.

4. Astronauts don't snore


A person who snored on Earth will not snore in space. This is because it is the force of gravity that causes snoring. In space, only a few cases of snoring of sleeping astronauts have been recorded.

By the way, some other sleep deviations also disappear in zero gravity conditions. Astronauts in space suffer from constipation.

5. Salt and pepper have to be mixed with water

Of course, astronauts have spices in liquid form. How do you imagine salting or pepper sprinkling food in zero gravity?

Therefore, it is necessary to create various liquid seasonings that improve the taste of foods from the diet of astronauts. Otherwise, the use of condiments would be a big problem.

6. The longest period of stay in space - 438 days

The Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov spent the longest time in space. He stayed aboard space station"Peace" 438 days (that's 14 months). His mission ended in 1995.

According to data up to 2004, of 439 astronauts, 11 died during training, 18 - during accidents during launch, and only 3 people - the Soyuz-11 team - died directly in space.

Georgy Dobrovolsky, Viktor Patsaev and Vladislav Volkov died from the depressurization of the ship, which occurred as a result of the separation of the module in 1971.

7. Almost every astronaut suffers from space sickness

Yes, it happens. Very many astronauts during the first days in zero gravity experience all the unpleasant sensations associated with the manifestation of space sickness.

This "illness" manifests itself in a loss of orientation, in the fact that a person ceases to feel the position of the arms and legs. Some people feel upside down all the time.

According to statistics, every second cosmonaut experienced unpleasant sensations associated with the manifestation of the "syndrome of adaptation to space." Yes, there is such a name. But everything becomes good after a few days - the unpleasant sensations go away.

8. On Earth, astronauts find it difficult to adapt to gravity

Upon returning to Earth, people have to re-adapt to our conditions. Astronauts especially suffer because they cannot get used to falling things.

They have already learned that objects float freely in the air, and subconsciously continue to expect the same on Earth.

And so it turns out that the astronaut can try to leave the cup in the air, forgetting that it is about to fall and break.

9. In space, special hygiene

It is impossible to take a bath in space; wet sponges and napkins are used for hygiene. Brushing your teeth is also problematic, you just have to swallow the foam from the toothpaste.

Planet Earth is considered the most beautiful in the entire Galaxy. Few are destined to look at its vastness from a height. In this article, we will tell you unusual and interesting facts about astronauts - people who have succeeded.

  • 1. “Traveling” through space, it is difficult for a person to get used to the formed regime of day and night. Therefore, astronauts wake up at a signal (melody) that they choose themselves.
  • 2. Many astronauts have back complications during flights, accompanied by pain and pinched nerves. The thing is that in conditions without gravity, the human spine relaxes and stretches. Therefore, astronauts literally grow 5-8 centimeters.
  • 3. It is impossible to hear human snoring in space. Due to the nature of the environment, astronauts do not snore. Science knows only a few cases of such a phenomenon.
  • 4. To improve the palatability of food in space, astronauts add salt and pepper diluted in water to dishes. Otherwise, how can you salt and pepper in zero gravity?


  • 5. Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev spent the longest time in orbit - 803 days.
  • 6. Space sickness or the syndrome of adaptation to space is manifested in every second astronaut. This ailment lasts for several days and manifests itself in the form of loss of sense of one's own limbs and orientation.


  • 7. Interesting facts about astronauts also relate to the superstitions associated with this profession. So, for example, Sergei Korolev was very wary of launches on Mondays, so he postponed the date.
  • 8. During flights, astronauts often notice unexplained flashes of light. It turns out that this is radiation that the human brain perceives as outbreaks. They are very harmful to the eyes, which is why astronauts may have vision-related problems upon arrival on Earth.


  • 9. The rocket launch countdown was borrowed from the filmmakers. To whip up spectator tension, just such a technique was used in 1929 in the film "Woman on the Moon".
  • 10. The first two-time tourist in space is Charles Simonyi. His flights took place in 2007 and 2009. But after the wedding, such entertainment became inaccessible to him. Simonyi's marriage contract provides for a ban on a third visit to space.


  • 11. Crew members of Apollo 11 were forced to go through customs control after returning from the moon. In the form, it was written: the place of departure - the Moon, the cargo - moon dust and stones.
  • 12. The number 13 has played a role in astronautics. It was the Apollo 13 ship of all the American spacecraft that flew to the moon that crashed on April 13.


  • 13. From the windows of their ship, astronauts can distinguish the Egyptian Pyramids, large airports, cities on Earth. But the Great Chinese wall, contrary to popular belief, is not visible from space.

Has collected 26 amazing facts about astronautics that you most likely did not know.

1. The fathers of modern cosmonautics are an "enemy of the people" and an SS man.

Wernher von Braun is a German and, since the late 1940s, an American designer of rocket and space technology. In the United States, he is considered the "father" of American space program... He surrendered to American forces in 1945 in Germany, after which he began working for the United States. In Nazi Germany he was a member of the National Socialist Party and Sturmbannführer SS.

Sergei Korolev is a Soviet scientist, designer, chief organizer of the production of rocket and space technology and missile weapons of the USSR and the founder of practical cosmonautics.

In 1938 he was arrested on charges of sabotage. According to some reports, he was tortured - both of his jaws were broken. On September 27, 1938, Korolev was sentenced by the Military Collegium of the USSR Supreme Court to 10 years in labor camps and 5 years of disqualification. In 1940, the term was reduced to 8 years in the labor camp (Sevzheldorlag), and in 1944 the Queen was released. The father of Russian cosmonautics was fully rehabilitated only in 1957.

2. The Chinese cosmonautics was also created by the "repressed".

The father of Chinese astronautics Qian Xuesen received higher education in the United States and returned to his homeland only because of the "witch-hunt" unfolding in American society and subsequent disgrace.

3. The first monument to manned astronautics.

At the landing site of Yuri Gagarin near the village of Smelovka in Saratov region On April 12, 1961, the arriving military set up a sign. More precisely, they dug in a pillar with a sign where it was written: “Don't touch! 04/12/61 10 h 55 m Moscow time ".

Astronauts have a variety of rituals required to successfully launch into space and return to Earth. In particular, it is imperative to pee on the wheel of the bus carrying them to the launch site.

It is believed that the founder of the tradition was Yuri Gagarin, who asked to stop the car in the Kazakh steppe on the way to Baikonur. By the way, female astronauts also honor this tradition - they take with them a jar of urine, which is thrown onto the wheel.

5. Why are astronauts watching " White sun desert "before the flight.

Soviet and Russian cosmonauts have another interesting tradition - before leaving, they watch the film "The White Sun of the Desert". It turns out that this tradition has a logical rationale. It was this movie that was shown to the cosmonauts as a standard of camera work - by its example, they were explained how to work correctly with a camera and make a plan.

Another version: after the death of three cosmonauts of the Soyuz-11 spacecraft, the Soyuz-12 crew was reduced to two people. Before the start, they watched the film "White Sun of the Desert", and after a successful mission they said that Comrade Sukhov became the invisible third member of the crew and helped them in difficult minutes... Since then, watching this tape has become a tradition for all Soviet and then Russian cosmonauts. By the way, astronauts from other countries are also forced to watch this film before launching from Baikonur.

6. Gagarin's lace was not untied.

Newsreel footage captured the meeting of Yuri Gagarin after the first space flight in Moscow, and most of all, many remembered his untied lace.

In fact, it was not a lace, but a sock suspender. Previously, socks were made without elastic bands and braces were worn on the calves so that the socks did not slip. Gagarin had this elastic band loose on one leg, and the iron buckle hit him very painfully on the leg. This was told by the son of Nikita Khrushchev, Sergei, in an interview with the BBC.

7. On the 12th century cathedral there is a figure of an astronaut.

In carving cathedral in the Spanish city of Salamanca, built in the 12th century, you can find the figure of an astronaut in a spacesuit. There is no mysticism here: the figure was added in 1992 during restoration by one of the masters as a signature. He chose the cosmonaut as a symbol of the 20th century.

8. The American woman has been waiting for a flight into space for 22 years.

Barbara Morgan was selected to participate in NASA's Teacher in Space program in 1985, but only made her first space flight in 2007.

9. They don't snore in space.

In 2001, an experiment was conducted that showed that snorers on Earth do not snore in space.

Crying in space will leave tears in your eyes and face.

Georgy Ivanov (Kakalov)

The names of the cosmonauts, which seemed dissonant to the Soviet authorities, were changed. The first Bulgarian cosmonaut Georgy Kakalov had to become Ivanov, and the Pole Hermashevsky became Germashevsky. The backup of the Mongolian cosmonaut Zhugderdemidiin Gurragcha originally bore the surname Ganhuyag, but at the insistence of the Soviet side changed it to Ganzorig.

12. There is a monument on the moon.

The only monument on the moon is the Fallen Astronaut. This is an aluminum sculpture of an astronaut in a spacesuit, prone. The figurine is located in the Hadley - Apennines region on the Moon, at the landing site of the Apollo 15 crew on the southeastern edge of the Sea of ​​Rains. Installed on August 1, 1971 by Apollo 15 commander David Scott.

Next to it is a plaque stuck in the ground, perpetuating the names of eight US astronauts and six Soviet cosmonauts, who had died or died by that time. The author of the sculpture is the Belgian painter and printmaker Paul van Heydonk. Since then and to this day, "The Fallen Astronaut" remains the only art installation on the moon.

13. Some even took their wife into space.

American astronauts Jen Davis and Mark Lee are so far the only married couple who have flown into space together. They were part of the crew space shuttle Endeavor, which flew in September 1992.

14. People in space grow by 5 cm.

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly (pictured), who returned to Earth in early March 2016 from the ISS, as it turned out, grew by more than five centimeters during his 340 days in space.

But not only Kelly, but in general all people in zero gravity grow by about three to five centimeters. On Earth, gravity presses on the spine, but in space this does not happen, and it straightens out to its full length. A person aboard the ISS typically grows three percent.

15. The wife does not let her husband into space.

Charles Simonyi became the first two-time space tourist, flying to the ISS in 2007 and 2009. He recently got married, and his marriage contract, among other things, contains a ban on flying into space for the third time.

16. Astronauts learn to go to the space toilet on Earth. Because it's hard.

To use the space toilet, you need to sit on it exactly in the center. Correct technique is being worked out on a special model with a camera.

17. Вместо собаки Лайки в космос предлагали отправить негритят?

The following story is told in the book by A. Laurinčiukas, the correspondent of the “Selskaya Zhizn” newspaper in the USA, “The Third Side of the Dollar”, published in 1968.

“The dog Laika was sent into space, knowing in advance that it would die. After that, the UN received a letter from a group of women from Mississippi. They demanded to condemn the inhuman attitude towards dogs in the USSR and put forward a proposal: if for the development of science it is necessary to send living beings into space, in our city there are as many Indians as you like. "

Most likely, this story is a propaganda fiction, but it is still widely cited as a well-known fact, usually without reference to the journalist's book "Selskaya Zhizn".

18. You cannot take a bath in space.

It is impossible to take a bath in space; wet sponges and napkins are used for hygiene. Brushing your teeth is also problematic - you just have to swallow the foam from the toothpaste.

19. The Russian got married while in space.

Cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, shortly before the flight to the ISS in 2003, made an offer to the American of Russian origin Ekaterina Dmitrieva, whose mother worked at NASA.

While at the station, he received a notification from the Mission Control Center that his mission was being extended by several months. The newlyweds decided not to wait for the return of the groom and arranged a wedding, looking at each other through the monitors. Roscosmos did not approve of such an act, since Malenchenko, who had access to the state secret, had to obtain permission to marry a citizen of another state in the prescribed manner on Earth, but subsequently he took part in space expeditions more than once.

20. The countdown was invented by filmmakers.

Countdown that invariably accompanies launch space rockets, was invented not by scientists or astronauts, but by filmmakers. The countdown was first shown in the 1929 German film Woman in the Moon to build tension. Subsequently, when launching real rockets, the designers simply adopted this technique.

21. There is a bell on the ISS.

There is a bell on the International Space Station. They hit him every time there is a change of commander.

22. The first Belgian astronaut received a title of nobility.

Dirk Freemouth, 51, made his only flight into space from March 24 to April 2, 1992 aboard the space shuttle Atlantis (STS-45) as one of two payload specialists. After completing a space flight, Freemouth was awarded the title of Viscount.

Portraits of the pioneers of Soviet cosmonautics were placed on the walls of the first Soviet space station Mir, and then on the ISS.

Some time later, the portraits of Gagarin and Korolyov, if you believe this photo, were either moved to another place, or removed altogether. Apparently, there was not enough space for the icons.

24. The most expensive hyphen in history cost $ 135 million.

In 1962, the Americans launched the first spacecraft to study Venus, Mariner 1, which crashed a few minutes after launch. At first, the antenna on the device failed, which received a signal from the guidance system from the Earth, after which the on-board computer took over control.

He, too, could not correct the deviation from the course, since the program loaded into it contained the only error - when transferring instructions to the code for punched cards, one of the equations missed a dash over a letter, the absence of which radically changed the mathematical meaning of the equation. Journalists soon dubbed this line "the most expensive hyphen in history." In terms of today, the cost of the lost device is $ 135 million.

25. Hero Soviet Union, the only Syrian cosmonaut - Assad's adversary.

The first and only Syrian cosmonaut, Mohammed Ahmed Faris, completed an eight-day flight on the Soyuz spacecraft in 1987.

On August 4, 2012, the Hero of the Soviet Union fled to Turkey and joined the opposition, supporting the Free Army of Syria in the war against President Bashar al-Assad. In February 2016, he accused Russia of killing 2 thousand civilians in Syria.

One of his sons bears the name Mir (Mir) in honor of the Soviet orbital station.

26. The names of the dimensions for the space urinals had to be changed.

American astronauts on spaceships series "Apollo" relieved small needs in containers, putting them on like condoms. These items were different sizes, originally named "small", "medium" and "large". However, after astronauts, regardless of their anatomy, chose only big size, the labeling has been changed to "large", "giant" and "incredible".

Despite their responsible and dangerous work, aviators and astronauts are ordinary people with their own fears and superstitions. Some of these superstitions turn into amazing fact, about which we want to tell you, so that you are surprised and smile.

1. For example, astronauts have a custom to take with them on a flight a branch of wormwood, which reminds them of home. In addition, the song "Earth in the window" is always played before the launch of the rocket. The starts on Mondays are not encouraged, so the great designer Sergei Korolyov postponed them to other days of the week, even when he had to go against the higher ranks. No work is being carried out at the cosmodrome on October 24, since on that day in 1960 a ballistic missile explosion occurred at Baikonur.

2. Weightlessness is not only dangerous, but also affects the health of astronauts in an unusual way. In particular, the body length becomes larger, due to the fact that the load on the spine decreases in zero gravity. The fluid present in the body rushes to the head, because of this, swelling of the face and swelling of the nose occurs. Snoring in zero gravity becomes inaudible. Due to the disruption of the normal functioning of the inner ear, astronauts experience dizziness and pain.

3. An interesting fact is that not only dogs, as many believe, but turtles, monkeys, cats have visited space from animals ... They were also launched into space Guinea pigs, rats, mice, quails, newts, frogs, snails and some types of fish.

4. The monument to Yuri Gagarin, erected in Star City, has an unusual feature. In the hand of the first Russian cosmonaut, which he hides behind his back, there is a chamomile.

At the same time, he hides the camomile, as if intriguing - but what is there !? You will not see it until you go around the monument!

5. By the way, for the first time it was possible to achieve flowering of flowers in space only on 01/17/16. When the Astrasinia flower first bloomed on the International Space Station. The photo of this flower, taken by the American NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who was on board the station, we present to your attention.

6. Space exploration does not stand still. Quite recently, since 2005, a truly historic discovery has been made. The tenth planet was discovered solar system, which was named Eris. It is located behind Pluto and revolves around the Sun. The study of its features and the nature of the surface is yet to come. Other natural cosmic bodies have been discovered beyond Pluto. The constant study and discovery of new planets is associated with the continuous search for a place where people could move in case of danger.