Who is the most famous astronaut of history and even until now?

      The answer is Neil Armstrong. 

This man is what we can define as a space legend. Astronaut from the United States, he became the first person to ever walk on the moon’s surface, on July 20^th, 1969. Neil Armstrong is one example of an astronaut who followed an educational pathway that lead him to his amazing astronaut career: he went to Purdue University and earned his bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering and then achieved his masters degree at the University of Southern California. After graduating from college, Armstrong became a test pilot. After years of practice, Armstrong applied to become an astronaut and in September of 1962 he was selected for the NASA Astronaut Corps. He had to go through a series of harsh physical tests, but passed them all and was soon part of the "new nine", or second group of nine NASA astronauts. In 1969 he was offered the command of the Apollo 11 spacecraft, eponym of the mission, which took him to the moon. Armstrong will for ever be remembered for his famous words broadcasted live all over the planet: "this is one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". One funny fact about this historical achievement would be that the footprints made by Armstrong on the surface of the moon would never disappear, simply because there no wind there to remove them!

(Citations:

http://www.kidskonnect.com/subjectindex/15-educational/science/59-austronauts.html

Explorer for kids. (n.d.). Neil armstrong. Retrieved from http://www.ducksters.com/biography/explorers/neil_armstrong.php

CBS News. (Photographer). (2012). RIP Neil Armstrong [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2012/08/25/astronaut-neil-armstrong-true-life-superhero-and-first-man-on-the-moon-dies-at-82)

What's the average income of an astronaut?

        There are various roles an astronaut could endorse as part of the spacecraft’s crew, ranging from a mission specialist to a commander."As full-time employees of NASA, the salary of an astronaut depends on federal government classifications, personal academic achievement and personal experience. Astronauts generally average between $56,000 and $105,000 annually. "According to NASA, the more experience and background that an astronaut has, the more responsibilities that astronaut may have and logically the higher the salary is. Therefore the salary can be anywhere from $56,000 for those just starting out to over $105,000 for those with great experience and responsibilities. We can add to this that astronauts receive excellent benefits, including medical coverage, paid vacation, tuition reimbursement, pension savings account, and potentially even more.

(Citations:

NASA. (n.d.). (2004, April, 7) Commander and pilot astronaut duties . Retrieved from http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/features/F_Astronaut_Requirements.html

Logo Design Love. (Photographer). (2011, August 03). NASA logo evolution: meatball vs worm [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.logodesignlove.com/nasa-logo)

Why do astronauts wear bizarre suits and travel in weird spacecrafts?

      The shuttle of the missioners is especially designed to defeat the space gravity and Newton's Law: special cabins with beds, ways for eating…

       Moreover in space, there is no air nor air pressure, so it is theoretically impossible to breath by our own out there. The temperature is extremely low, unless you face the sun's rays that could simply burn you as long as there is no atmosphere or any layer (e.g. ozone layer) to protect the body. That is why Astronauts must wear spacesuits whenever they leave a spacecraft and are exposed directly to the environment of space. Without all this protection, an astronaut would quickly die. "Spacesuits are specially designed to protect astronauts from the cold, radiation and low pressure in space. They also provide air to breath, water to drink and even a built in toilet! Wearing a spacesuit allows an astronaut to survive and complete his mission."

(Citations:

Ask an astronomer for kids. (n.d.). (2013, March 7) Why do astronauts need space suits?. Retrieved from http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_kids/AskKids/spacesuit.shtml)

Nation States. (Photographer). (2011, April 16). Space Craft [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=107537

Forward ever forward. (Photographer). NASA Astronaut Suit—$9 Million [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.forwardeverforward.com/fw-22-really-expensive-halloween-costumes/)

How do we become astronaut?

      Many kids may believe that all it takes to be an astronaut is to put on a space suit. Others might think that if you can fly an airplane then you definitely can become an astronaut. In reality, becoming an astronaut requires a great amount of time, skills and commitment, as people have to go through extensive training and experiences. According to NASA, "Basic requirements for an Astronaut Pilot include the following:

1-      Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics.

2-      At least 1, 000 hours pilot-in command time in jet aircraft. Flight test experience is highly desirable.

3-      Ability to pass a NASA space physical which is similar to a military or civilian flight physical."

So to be able to assure missions and to practice their job, astronauts go through very specialized and intense training. They must pass a series of physical requirements as well as comprehensive academic and mental exams

(Citations:
NASA. (n.d.). (2004, April, 7) Commander and pilot astronaut duties . Retrieved from http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/features/F_Astronaut_Requirements.html

Greg, C. (Photographer). (2012, April 26). Career high: what NASA is looking for in its new astronauts [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://theconversation.com/career-high-what-nasa-is-looking-for-in-its-new-astronauts-6355

Beck, A. (Photographer). (2013, 01 03). NASA Begins Work on New Space Tech Division [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://ivn.us/2013/03/01/nasa-begins-work-on-new-space-tech-division/)

                                                                          

What's an astronaut?

       "An astronaut is a highly trained scientist, engineer or another qualified professional who explores the space, and has special missions in it." We all heard of it, NASA is the agency that trains United States' Astronauts (men and women!) to serve as commanders, pilots, and mission specialists aboard spacecrafts. "The term Astronauts is sometimes used to specifically describe someone working for the United States’ space program. Specialists from other countries’ space program are sometimes called by their own names; for example, in Russia they are referred to as cosmonauts and while in China they are known Taikonauts! In my blog, I will write more about what is to be an astronaut."

(Citations:

Kids connect. (n.d).Astronauts. Retrieved from http://www.kidskonnect.com/subjectindex/15-educational/science/59-austronauts.html

Tami, H. (n.d).(2013).Job description for an astronaut. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/facts_5474637_job-decription-astronaut.html)