Science Weekly
What does it take to become an astronaut?
Nov 19, 2024
Hannah Devlin, a Guardian science correspondent and zero-gravity flight enthusiast, shares her thrilling experiences and insights into becoming an astronaut. She reveals the intense selection process, where only a few are chosen from over 20,000 applicants, featuring the inspiring journey of ESA’s Rosemary Coogan. The discussion highlights the physical and emotional challenges of space missions, essential traits like teamwork, and the rigorous training astronauts undergo. Devlin also touches on the importance of responsible exploration of resources beyond Earth.
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Quick takeaways
- The selection process to become an astronaut is extraordinarily competitive, narrowing down from over 20,000 applicants through rigorous assessments of skills and resilience.
- Living in space poses unique challenges, necessitating physical exercise for health maintenance and emotional support among crewmates to combat isolation.
Deep dives
Experience of Weightlessness
A training flight organized by the European Space Agency allows participants to experience weightlessness through a series of parabolic maneuvers. During these flights, the aircraft climbs steeply before cutting its engines, creating a brief period of freefall where individuals can float. The sensation of floating is both exhilarating and disorienting, leading to a physiological response as the body adjusts to the absence of gravity. This could result in astronauts losing a sense of their physical presence over time, making their return to normal gravity feel burdensome.
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