There are many different professions in our world. Some of them are fascinating, others are complex, and some are romantic. Each of them is useful and necessary for people in its own way.
But there is one profession that combines all of the above. It is fascinating and romantic, but at the same time very complex. This profession is an astronaut. It is associated with the greatest danger, but at the same time it is the most tempting and interesting. In order to accurately determine whether you can become a real astronaut, you need to learn as much as possible about this heroic profession.
The profession of an astronaut is the dream of every child
It's hard to find an adult who didn't dream of being in space as a child. Years have passed, but even now every modern child at least once in his life thinks about the profession of an astronaut. Very often you can find school essays on the topic "My future profession is an astronaut." In them, children describeyour dreams after school. However, despite such popularity among the younger generation, this profession remains among the rarest in the world due to the highest requirements for each candidate. That is why, if you decide to opt for this speci alty, you should start your acquaintance with the profession of an astronaut in order to find out what it includes. You also need to know what requirements apply to a future space pilot, because you need to start working on yourself already at school.
History of the profession
This profession is quite young. Just in the last century, people could not even dream of getting closer to the stars, and today this task is successfully solved by real professionals.
On April 12, 1961, the first space flight was made with the first cosmonaut on board - Yuri Gagarin. The ship called "Vostok" was launched from Baikonur, and it was from that moment that the heroic profession was born - an astronaut, which almost all children dream of. This name is officially assigned to this speci alty all over the world, and only in the USA are representatives of the profession called astronauts.
The first pilots had to solve only one problem - to fly. However, over time, as space systems improved, the profession of an astronaut began to mean much more. Requirements are increasing, which means that a wide variety of professionals are on board the spacecraft: engineers, researchers, doctors and many other people who are united by a commonthe goal is to explore new expanses of the universe.
Profession astronaut. Description for kids
An astronaut is a person who has to solve many problems on board a ship. His responsibilities include the management of on-board systems, as well as equipment for scientific research. In addition, he must be able to read the readings of all instruments on board and control the operation of all equipment and the ship's engine.
The profession "astronaut" implies a lot. The description for children should include all the requirements for a future pilot. Among them, the main thing is to be able to make decisions in unexpected situations. Anything is possible when a ship is sailing in space.
For example, equipment may fail and begin to give incorrect information. Not always the problem that has arisen can be solved with the help of the Earth. The astronaut must be able to keep cool in any situation and quickly make decisions to eliminate any problem that arises. That is why alarmists have no place on a spaceship.
The main speci alties of astronauts
Today, when a person goes further and further in his studies of the Universe, information about the profession of an astronaut is becoming more extensive. It no longer implies only the ability to control a space ship. If at the initial stage professional pilots became cosmonauts, then at the present stage this profession already includes many other profiles. Now there are three main speci alties of astronauts.
- A test cosmonaut who is the pilot of a ship. His duties include piloting the spacecraft, taking off and landing. He must also coordinate the operation of each system and any action by the crew. As a rule, military pilots become test cosmonauts.
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Cosmonaut-engineer. This is a person who is responsible for the correct operation of the entire technical system of the aircraft, coordinates all preparations before and after the flight, and also takes part in the development and testing of the latest technical systems. Information about the profession of an astronaut would be incomplete without mentioning the engineer, because it is he who is responsible for carrying out any repairs during space travel.
- Cosmonaut-researcher, who must have a medical education. He is responsible for the he alth of each crew member. In addition, he sets up various experiments and conducts research on the behavior of living organisms under weightless conditions. Long-term space expeditions are impossible without the participation of researchers.
Thus, not only the skills of the pilot implies this profession. An astronaut must know and be able to do a lot. The description of this job includes many different speci alties, each of which performs the most important task in making space travel.
What are the requirements for a future astronaut
If you decide that after school you will become an astronaut, you need to know what is required for this professionthe highest requirements. That is why it is the rarest in the world.
So, if the profession of an astronaut is your firm choice, you should first of all carefully monitor your physical condition. Strong, almost perfect he alth is the main requirement for a future candidate. You should not have any chronic diseases and bad habits. In addition, you must have perfect vision. The he alth of an astronaut must be excellent also because you cannot find a hospital in space. That is why future pilots must master the basics of medical care in various situations.
In addition to physical he alth, there are high demands on mental he alth. A future cosmonaut must be able to keep a cool head and not give in to panic in any situation. In addition, he should not be subject to various depressions and bouts of melancholy. After all, not everyone can be so far from home indefinitely.
Besides perfect physical and mental he alth, another major requirement for a future astronaut is fluency in English. It is on it that they communicate on the International Space Station, which was created by the efforts of many countries. Astronauts from different parts of the world are constantly on it, periodically replacing each other.
In addition, you must have a higher education in some technical, medical or military speci alty in which you understand best. Indeed, in space it is necessary to conduct a lot of scientificexperiments, so there is no need for singers, artists and representatives of other creative speci alties.
How to become an astronaut
Star City is located in the suburbs of Moscow, where there is a special Cosmonaut Training Center. If you have excellent he alth, high academic achievement and education in the required profiles, you can apply here while still studying at the university.
The first stage of selection is based on the submitted questionnaires, from which 350 people are selected. They take tests in subjects such as physics, mathematics and Russian. Then a strict medical commission awaits them. After this stage, the number of candidates is reduced to 50. The most recent selection takes place already at the Cosmonaut Training Center, where they check whether a person can withstand various difficult tests.
For example, an astronaut candidate can be locked up in an absolutely closed space, where there is complete silence, and there is not a single person except himself. The period of such confinement is 5 days, during which the subject is carefully observed, noting the slightest changes in his behavior. After such difficult tests, only eight lucky ones remain, who are enrolled in the squad of future astronauts. However, this does not mean that a flight into space will take place soon. Usually they prepare for such an event for 5-10 years, during which they constantly learn to pass a variety of tests.
During takeoff, the crew of the spacecraft experiences severe overloads, and in space itself is in a state ofweightlessness. In order to be ready for all these tests, future astronauts study for so many years before they make their first flight. Their classes are held in special classrooms and sports halls. They jump with a parachute, spend a lot of time flying and learn to endure any heat and cold, to be adapted to the conditions of overload and weightlessness. Therefore, those who decide to choose this heroic profession for themselves need to be prepared to overcome many obstacles and work hard.
Astronaut superstitions
Despite the fact that cosmonautics is an area in which the accuracy of science and the latest technologies reign, there are a lot of superstitions and various rituals associated with it. If you are going to choose this job, you should definitely know what superstitions are associated with the astronaut profession.
Some of them date back to the early days of this work. For example, Sergei Korolev, the first general designer, considered Monday a bad day to start. The tradition of postponing the date of departure has come down to our times. Also, the launch of the ship is never scheduled for October 24 - the day with which two tragedies are associated. In 1960, an experimental rocket exploded on that day, which caused numerous casu alties, and three years later a fire broke out in one of the mines with a combat rocket. After that, the date became forbidden in Russian cosmonautics.
Superstitions associated with the profession of an astronaut are also strongly associated with the name of Yuri Gagarin, the world's first cosmonaut. Before the flight, the crew mustIn order, he visits his office, which is still preserved in the same form in which the legendary pilot left it, and enters his words in the visitor's book. A visit to the memorial in memory of Gagarin and other first cosmonauts who died in the line of duty and the laying of flowers - red carnations is considered mandatory.
Arriving at Baikonur, the future crew moves into the Cosmonaut Hotel, which is a kind of symbol of representatives of this profession. There is an alley in front of the building of this hotel, the trees of which were planted by the caring hands of astronauts who returned from successful expeditions. Future pilots take a walk along it, mentally asking for support from their senior colleagues.
The hotel is showing a screening of the film "White Sun of the Desert", which every member of the crew should watch.
Also among the mandatory rituals is that on the day of the flight, all astronauts must cut their hair.
During breakfast before takeoff, they take a sip of champagne and leave their autographs on the doors of the rooms in which they lived. They get on the bus, decorated with horseshoes, to the song "Grass near the house." After arriving at the take-off site, each crew member repeats what Gagarin once did - irrigates the rear right wheel of the bus. Once on board, the crew waves to the people seeing them off, but it is strictly forbidden to say goodbye in response - a bad omen.
Also among the rituals there is one - to display the word "Tanya" on the launch vehicle before launch. It is believed that this name was first written by an officer in love. According to rumors, when once forgottenwrite the cherished word - the rocket exploded.
All crew members have a team mascot, which is chosen by the captain of the spaceship. Usually it is a small toy that bears the common name Boris. It is attached so that it can be seen by cameras, and ground services can understand from the toy that the ship has reached a height where gravity no longer acts.
At the orbital station, astronauts are greeted with bread and s alt.
After returning to Earth, the team again performs a series of rituals, including visiting the memorial and planting their own tree.
So many superstitions - another answer to the question of what is interesting about the profession of an astronaut.
Professions of the profession
When you decide on your future speci alty, it is very important to carefully consider all its pros and cons. As for the work of an astronaut, of course, it has many advantages:
- you will see what very few people in the world have seen;
- you will take part in scientific experiments and you can discover something new that will help the development of all mankind;
- get a chance to touch the future;
- you will look like a hero in the eyes of relatives and friends;
- you will see the stars with your own eyes.
All this is possible only for astronauts, no other profession will allow you to see and learn so much. However, do not forget that for all the romance of this work, it is associated with many dangers and difficulties.
Cons of the profession
Of course, professionastronaut for children is one of the most tempting and exciting. However, at the same time, you definitely need to understand what disadvantages it brings with it, and be prepared for them. This is:
- long and hard work before the first flight;
- many dangers during space travel;
- long separation from family and friends;
- harm caused to he alth by prolonged exposure to weightlessness.
Besides, you should know that, regardless of the level of technological progress, it is impossible to create conditions on Earth that completely repeat those in space. Despite so many trainings, an astronaut, once in orbit, must be prepared for all the difficulties that may arise.
In conclusion
After you have learned all the intricacies of the profession of an astronaut, the requirements that apply to candidates, the conditions in which you will have to work, your decision will be more balanced. In order for you to realize how well you understood all the difficulties of the work, you can write an essay “Profession - astronaut”, in which you will describe all its pluses and minuses. This will help you see if the job is right for you.
However, if you still decide that you want to connect your future with astronautics, start taking steps towards your dream today. Start actively playing sports, learning English and physics. Read literature on the topic and learn something new every day. Perhaps it is you who will make the most important discoveries that will bring humanity closer to masteringnew planets, and you will become the specialist with whose name the astronaut profession will be firmly associated. Everything is in your hands, and it depends only on you what kind of future you will have!
