Astronauts
Astronauts, also known as cosmonauts if they hailed from the USSR during the Space Race, are the brave men and women who have visited space. In the early days of space exploration, it was the USA and Russian citizens that were sent up into the sky, but since then over 500 people have reached low Earth orbit from nations all over the world, including British, Chinese, Japanese, Canadian and French astronauts. The world astronaut is derived from the Greek words ástron and nautes, which means star sailor.
10 times space missions went hilariously wrong
From dropped tool bags to farting astronauts, spaceflight has had its fair share of amusing mistakes and embarrassing oversights
We may finally have an easy way to make water on the Moon
Lunar dust could one day quench astronauts’ thirst – and help make their fuel
Here's the very strange way astronauts vote in space
Even at an altitude of 400km (249 miles) and circling Earth roughly every 93 minutes, astronauts can still have their say when it comes to the election.
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If you farted hard enough in space, could you move yourself around?
You can eat as many beans as you like in space, apparently.
How human space junk could force a ‘new epoch’ on the Moon
Humans have made serious impacts on the Moon – so has the Moon entered a new epoch? We spoke to a space archaeologist to find out.
Women (probably) make for better astronauts. So should the first crew to Mars be all-female?
A new study carried out by the European Space Agency suggests that women may be better suited to space travel than men.
Could a magnetic field protect a spacecraft?
As we venture out into the cosmos, protection from radiation will be critical.
In pictures: Blue Origin helps Wally Funk achieve spaceflight dream
Blue Origin's first crewed flight of New Shepard takes off from West Texas.
Profile | Michael Collins: Apollo 11 command module pilot
A modest and thoughtful man, he once said that “...the main qualification for flying to the Moon was to have been born at the right time, 1930, give or take a year or two.”
Why it's critical the first crew on Mars contains a woman, according to former astronaut Dr Kathy Sullivan
Ahead of the launch of Lego's Discovery shuttle set, the first American woman to walk in space explains why diversity is key to the success of space exploration.
New strains of bacteria found on the International Space Station
Three unknown species have been discovered growing on the ISS, but don't break out the anti-bac wipes just yet.
Weightlessness could make astronauts worse at recognising emotions in others
The participants' cognitive speed and emotion recognition speed both dropped during the period of bed rest.
Here's how YOU can apply to become one of ESA's newest astronauts
The European Space Agency is hiring a new class of astronauts. You could be one of them.
Eating spinach could protect astronauts from space radiation, study suggests
A review of the research into the damaging effects of radiation suggests an antioxidant-rich diet could help to protect astronauts long trips.
Your space agency needs YOU: ESA astronaut applications are opening
The agency is will also launch the Parastronaut Feasibility Project for future astronauts with physical disabilities.
NASA astronauts to take first SpaceX ‘taxi service’ to ISS
The crew are scheduled for lift-off shortly after midnight on Sunday.
SpaceX Crew Dragon astronauts believe the spacecraft is 'ready to go'
The pair landed in the ocean on Sunday after a 19-hour journey from the International Space Station.
NASA to resume launching astronauts from US soil
Only three countries have launched people into orbit since 1961.
Apollo 13 | "We never got to a point where we said, ‘Well, we’re going to die’”
Surviving crew members Jim Lovell and Fred Haise never made it to the Moon but hailed the teamwork that enabled them to return safely to Earth.
Out of this world | Recreating space on Earth
Earth’s most extreme environments now host teams of astronauts who are experimenting with the tools, skills and protocols they’ll need to live on another planet.
Kathryn D Sullivan | What is it really like to walk in space?
On 11 October 1984, astronaut Kathy Sullivan made history by becoming the first American woman to walk in space. We find out what it was like.
Dr Helen Sharman | "Aliens exist, there’s no two ways about it"
Dr Sharman made history when she participated in a mission to the Soviet modular space station Mir in 1991.
Q&A special | Everything you ever wanted to know about the Apollo programme
In space, nobody can hear your questions – good job we can here on Earth…
First all-female spacewalk finally confirmed for this afternoon
US astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir are on course to make history as they venture outside the orbiting space lab.