1. It is composed of two elements (or syllables?), “astro” and “naut”. Can you find out what these words mean? What does “astro” mean? What does “naut” mean? Together they make up the word “astronaut”.
(ESA -mission possible- Astronaut or Cosmonaut?
2. Nominal duration of excursions in a pressure suit usually runs between 5 and 7 hours. (Office of Space Operation)
3. During his career as an astronaut he continually gets promoted, and may earn up to $ 85,000. (Interested People-Astronauts is for Dummies)
4. There is a longstanding myth that the Great Wall of China is the only manmade object visible from space. It and several variations on the theme are great fodder for water cooler arguments. In reality, many human constructs can be seen from Earth orbit. (Space.com)
5. There is no age requirement to be an astronaut. As long as you meet the
education and physical requirements, you are qualified. Of course, the
selection depends on other factors, like experience.(Estella Gillete 12.7.97
Good morning! Estella’s ready for question)
6. Sleeping accommodations aboard the shuttle vary depending on the requirements of the particular mission. The crew can sleep in their seats, in sleeping bags, in bunks, or by simply tethering themselves to the orbiter walls. The sleeping bags are cocoon-like restraints attached to the lockers where crew provisions are stored. In microgravity, there is no "up" and the astronauts can sleep as comfortably in the vertical position as the horizontal.(Exploration)