The following is a story about amazing people of different countries attempting to face the unknown of space and leaving their life on the Earth. With each footfall toward the stars they found a universe brimming with possibility and things unknown and faced the inexhaustible problems of existence and loneliness.

From the United States to Russia, from China to India, from Europe to Japan these brave souls were the best humanity could put forward and the movement beyond opened new horizons in space travelling. Some of the participants were from different cultures and traditions but they all had one thing in common, the desire or passion for space exploration.

Different Names for Astronauts in Different Countries

United States: Astronaut
The term is derived from the Greek words “astron” — star and “nautes” meaning sailor, hence a sailor of the stars.

NASA employs this term in a manner that they refer to their astronauts.
Astronauts are professionals who get chosen and groomed to work in space stations. They often are scientists and engineers or have been military personnels, and must, therefore, go through physical and mental tests before being selected to go to space.

Space travelers’ bodies undergo a lot of changes because they reside and toil in microgravity conditions. They can have reduction in the bone mass, muscles mass and cardiovascular function, and are needed to exercise special caution while stationed in space.

Space explorers have to put on cool stylish space-suits whenever they come out of the spaceship to perform some exterior chore. These suits shield them from the hot and cold temperatures as well as radiation and vacuum of space environment.
The crew members of the International Space Station (ISS) work for an average duration of 6months in outer space although certain instances may extend up to 1 year or even more. In their stay up there, they work,, engage in experiments, maintenance, survey and research activities in order to understand extended space habitation.

The astronauts that orbit around the space communicate with the mission control back on the Earth in a specially developed way with the use of equipment. They must operate within very strong guidelines in order to manage the risks of the environment and the personnel on board the vessel, as well as to accomplish the goals of the given mission.

Astronauts currently experience radiation hazard since they are far from earth and are exposed to high levels of radiation than normal exposure in earth. This can lead to enhancement of their cancer and other health problems.
Astrovanauts are required to perform the duties of physically and administratively taking care of the spacecraft and its subsystems as it orbit in space. They carry out maintenance and adjustments to see that everything is as it ought to be and that they can do what is expected of them in safety.

Do You Know

Russia: Cosmonaut

The term “cosmonaut” originated from the term ‘cosmos’ which is derived from the Greek word and means universe and the other part of the term ‘nautes’ which means sailor in Greek.

It was first coined by the Soviet space program during the 1960s and this term is still in used by the current Russian space program.
Yuri Gagarin was the first cosmonaut: Yuri Gagarin was the first person to orbit the Earth on 12th of April in the year 1961 and that makes him the first cosmonaut in the world.

First spacewalk was by Alexei Leonov: Alexei Leonov is a prime example of Russian and Soviet Space exploration that started with Gagarin; he made spacewalk at 18 of march 1965 for 12 minutes and 9 seconds.
The Soyuz spacecraft is the most widely used: Soyuz is the most numerous spacecraft in the Russian space program, its use started in 1967 and to this date has been launched over 1500 times.

Mir was the first modular space station: Mir was the first modular space station which was launched by the Russia in 1986. It was used for more than 10 years and at some point of time was the biggest artificial satellite in the orbit.
Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space: Valentina Tereskova made the sky her home as she became the first female astronaut and the first Russian to go to space on June 16, 1963, in the Vostok 6 spacecraft.

Russia has its own GPS system: Russia has its own partner GPS system called GLONASS which has over world coverage and is adopted for military as well as civilians use.
The International Space Station (ISS) is jointly operated by Russia and other countries: ISS is a part of the cooperation between Russia, United States, Canada, Japan, and eleven countries of the Europe.

The first satellite was launched by Russia: Beginning of space age Sputnik 1, the first artificial Earth satellite was launched by Russia on 4, October 1957.
Sergei Krikalev has spent the most time in space: The man who has spent many days The record holder of the cosmonauts that has spent much time in space is Sergei Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, he has spent 803 days 9 hours 39 min in space.

China: Taikonaut or yuhangyuan

That said, the term ‘Taikonaut’ was given by the Hong Kong media in 1998 and it was adopted officially by the Chinese government.
Literally, the term yuhangyuan means ‘space navigator’ in Mandarin.
Shanghai-born Yang Liwei became the first taikaught in 2003, on the Shenzhou 5.
The first Chinese astronaut was Yang Liwei: Yang Liwei successfully flew to space, thus becoming the first Chinese astronaut or ‘taikonaut,’ on October 15, 2003, aboard the Shenzhou 5 craft.

China has its own space station: China is independently constructing its space station the Tiangong Space Station which should be complete in 2022 and operational by 2023.
The Chinese space program is government-funded: The Chinese space program is funded and top management of the organization is carried out by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The first Chinese woman in space was Liu Yang: First Chinese women in space was Liu Yang who flew to Tiangong-1 space lab in 2012.

The Shenzhou spacecraft is the most commonly used: Shenzhou spacecraft is another common type of Chinese spacecraft; currently there are seven manned spaceflights till 2021.
China has its own version of the GPS system: China has its own GPS system also known as the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System which is global and offering service to the military and other non-military users.

China has sent a rover to the moon: In December of 2013, China launched its first lunar rover called the Yutu rover as a part of its Chang’e 3 mission.
China plans to send a crewed mission to Mars: China is eyeing to launch manned Mars mission in the 2030s in its future missions to space.

Japan: Uchuu-hikeshi

The name “Uchuu-hikeshi” can be translated as ‘’space pilot’’ in English as the Japanese words ‘’Uchuu’’ stands for ‘’space’’ and ‘’Hikeshi’’ for ‘’pilot’’ in English. This term is in fact used by Japan’s space agency, JAXA, to refer to its astronauts.
Japan’s first astronaut was Toyohiro Akiyama who flew the Soyuz TM-11 back in 1990.

Japan's first astronaut was Toyohiro Akiyama: The first Japanese astronaut to travel out of earth’s orbit was Toyohiro Akiyama in 1990 Soyuz TM-11 spacecraft.
Japan's space program is run by JAXA: The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency or JAXA is the government space agency of Japan which is involved in the country’s space program.

The H-IIA rocket is the primary launch vehicle: JAXA employs H-IIA rocket as their key spacecraft launching vehicle for satellites and different spacecrafts into space of orbit.
Japan has its own space telescope: Similar to others, Japan also taught the universe’s high-energy phenomena in its own space telescope known as the Hitomi X-ray Observatory launched in 2016.

The Japanese have landed on an asteroid: Realized in 2018, its Hayabusa2 mission involved the landing on Ryugu asteroid and the sampling of surface materials that were collected for their return into Earth.
Japan has its own GPS system: Japan has its own GPS system known as the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) which is for the Japan and the Asia-Oceania region.

The International Space Station (ISS) has Japanese modules: Exposures of Japan to the ISS include the Kibo laboratory which is regarded as the largest module on the space station and is used for conducting experiments and researches.
Japan has plans for a lunar landing mission: The Japanese Aerospace eXploration Agency, JAXA has laid down an action plan of a lunar landing mission for 2030s where rover will be sent on moon surface.

Japan has collaborated with other countries on space missions: Japan has participated in space missions with other countries and with some special emphasis on United States and India.
Japan sees space exploration as a way to stimulate economic growth: Japan believe space exploration as an avenue of creating new industries that are relevant to the economy by establishing manufacturing industries in satellites and space tourism among others.

Do You Know

France: Spationaute

France's first astronaut was Jean-Loup Chrétien: Jean-Loup Chrétien, a Frenchman, was the first Frenchman to travel into space and this was in 1982 in the Soyuz T-6 spacecraft which belonged to the Soviet Union.
France's space agency is CNES: The government space agency of France is called the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales or CNES.
France was involved in the creation of the European Space Agency (ESA): France had a major part to play in the evolution of the European Space Agency in 1975.
The Ariane rocket is the primary launch vehicle: CNES uses Ariane rocket primarily as a launch vehicle to place satellite and spacecraft within orbit.
France has its own spaceport: French Guiana is a part of France and this is the major space center which helps in launching rockets and satellites.
French spationautes have worked on the International Space Station: Like other nations, French astronauts or ‘spationautes’ have participated in research and experiments on the international space station (ISS).
France has its own space telescope: France put into orbit the CoRoT space telescope in 2006 for the exploration of exoplanets and for asteroseismology.
France has a partnership with India in space: There is Cooperation in Space Business between the two nations and they also share a link in satellites as well as in space science.
France has a military space program: France also has a military space programme involving satellites for intelligence and communication among others..
France sees space exploration as a way to promote innovation and competitiveness: In matters concerning space, France sees space exploration as a platform that helps in enhancing technology as well as competition through technology such as announcements on tourism and asteroid mining.

Germany: Raumfahrer

It is simply refers to the German term which translates as space traveler or astronaut.
The German Aerospace Center or DLR calls them Astronauten candidat or astronaut candidates.
The first German to travel into space was Ulf Merbold who became one of the crew members in STS-9 mission in 1983. Germany's first astronaut was Sigmund Jähn: Sigmund Jähn later in 1978 became the first German to fly in space, where he served in the Soyuz 31 spacecraft which belonged to the Soviet Union.
Germany's space agency is DLR: DLR or the German Aerospace Center is the institution of German Federal Government responsible for the German Space program.
Germany was involved in the creation of the European Space Agency (ESA): Germany was instrumental when the European Space Agency or ESA was launched in 1975.
The Ariane rocket is the primary launch vehicle: Germany supports and participates in the Ariane rocket project and uses it as a Space Launch Vehicle to send satellites and Spacecraft into space.
Germany has its own spaceport: DARA Aerospace coordinates the Oberpfaffenhofen Spaceport near Munich for testing and rocket and satellites launching.
German astronauts have worked on the International Space Station: German astronauts or Raumfahrer have participated in international space missions on the International Space Station (ISS) carrying out researches and experiments.
Germany has its own space telescope: The eROSITA telescope which is led by Germany was launched in 2019 for the purpose of cosmic history and architecture.
Germany has a partnership with Russia in space: Germany and Russia are space partners concerning satellite; manned missions, and space related science.
Germany has a strong focus on space research: Germany is engaged in various space related researches such as the climate, space weather or exploration of planets.
Germany sees space exploration as a way to drive innovation and economic growth: Germany sees space exploration as an opportunity for technological advancement and economical growth meaning the creation of new industries like satellites manufacturing, earth observation and space tourism.

Italy: Astronauta

Canada: Astronaut

United Kingdom: Astronaut

Spain: Astronauta

HOW IT WORKS: The International Space Station

That country which has launched the most astronauts in space is?
Currently in the world, the United States has provided the highest number of astronauts to the space by providing over 350 astronauts for orbit.

Who has the honour of being the fist country to put an astronaut in space?
Russia was the first country to send the man to space. Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space when he carried out earth orbit in the Vostok 1 Spacecraft on April 12 1961.

How many astronauts have China launched?
Up to now, China has launched 14 astronauts or known as taikonauts into space till 2021.

Which of the country’s astronauts have visited the International Space Station most frequently?
The United States has most probably dispatched more astronauts to ISS than any other country because International Space Station is an undertaking of NASA, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada. Nevertheless, Russia has launched the most cosmonauts to ISS because it is inheritor of the Soviet space program.

How many women can be said to have gone to space?
To date, sixty-five women have flown as astronauts and to date, four of them are from China. The First women who have crossed the space frontier were Valentina Tereshkova of the Soviet Union in 1963.

List of countries that have sent astronauts to space.

United States: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Sally Ride, John Glenn, Jim Lovell, Michael Collins
Russia/Soviet Union: Yuri Gagarin, Valentina Tereshkova, Alexei Leonov, Sergei Krikalev, Yuri Malenchenko, Gennady Padalka
China: Yang Liwei, Liu Yang, Jing Haipeng, Chen Dong, Wang Yaping, Nie Haisheng
Canada: Chris Hadfield, Roberta Bondar, Marc Garneau, Julie Payette, Robert Thirsk, David Saint-Jacques
Japan: Mamoru Mohri, Koichi Wakata, Soichi Noguchi, Takao Doi, Akihiko Hoshide, Kimiya Yui
France: Thomas Pesquet, Jean-Loup Chrétien, Michel Tognini, Léopold Eyharts, Claudie Haigneré, Jean-Jacques Favier
Germany: Thomas Reiter, Reinhard Furrer, Hans Schlegel, Ulf Merbold, Gerhard Thiele, Alexander Gerst
Italy: Samantha Cristoforetti, Luca Parmitano, Umberto Guidoni, Roberto Vittori, Paolo Nespoli, Luca Salvo
United Kingdom: Helen Sharman, Tim Peake, Michael Foale, Nicholas Patrick, Richard Garriott, Piers Sellers
India: Rakesh Sharma, Kalpana Chawla, Sunita Williams, Ravish Malhotra, Ashok Kumar, Raja Chari (upcoming mission)
Australia: Andy Thomas, Paul Scully-Power, John Glennie, Mark Shuttleworth
South Korea: Yi So-yeon
Spain: Pedro Duque
Sweden: Christer Fuglesang
Switzerland: Claude Nicollier
Netherlands: Wubbo Ockels, André Kuipers
Belgium: Frank De Winne
Denmark: Andreas Mogensen
Norway: Bjarni Tryggvason
Israel: Ilan Ramon, Akiyama Soichi, Yitzhak Ben Yisrael