From the article you will learn about what work the astronauts do, about the history of the development of near-Earth space, and what profession is needed if you decide to devote your life to the opportunity to visit Earth orbit and beyond.
Flat world
Ever since ancient times and the first discoveries in the field of astronomy, scientists who suspected that the Earth was not at all flat, seriously wondered: what are its borders? The fact that there were many planets was already known in ancient Rome and Greece, but this was the end of space information. Alas, there is more than just one visual observation.
And no matter how busy the researchers were with this issue, they had to wait until the middle of the 20th century. Around then, the first drones left the Earth. Nevertheless, they did not stop there, because only a person can carry out full-fledged activity in such conditions. So what kind of work do astronauts do?
The experiments
It is important to clarify here: oddly enough, but it is they who study space in orbit the least. Global processes for research are accessible from the Earth, albeit in the form of theories with hypotheses, but every year many of them find their confirmation. For example, knowledge of how the Universe was born, how stars appeared, how old planets are, etc. scientists received, never having been directly in space and at a time when such flights were impossible. For example, as was the case with Einstein and his theory of relativity, as well as with black holes studied by Hawking.
But, of course, there are processes, the study of which is possible only outside the Earth. So what kind of work do astronauts do?
Biology and medicine
Biologists and physiologists study the effect of weightlessness on the human body, the changes that occur after a long time in microgravity. Also, a small “menagerie” of several mice and insects constantly lives on the ISS. On their offspring, they find out how earthly creatures born in space are obtained.
Botany
On the ISS, they also observe the growth of plants for a long time, how they change and adapt under the influence of constant cosmic radiation and all the same weightlessness. This is what the cosmonauts do.
Psychology
Nobody can afford such a luxury as keeping a psychologist on board a space station. However, the living conditions themselves in a confined space away from the usual conditions are an excellent testing ground for psychiatry. Of course, no one puts special experiments on astronauts, but simply look after them and help in difficult situations.
Physics chemistry
Also on board the ISS, various physical experiments are conducted to study cosmic relic radiation, the Earth's magnetosphere. Chemists do not sit idle.
Now we know what work the astronauts do.
The meaning of research
As it is easy to notice, some of the observations and experiments are aimed at the future, when interplanetary flights, and possibly interstellar ones, become possible. By that time, space explorers should have a ready-made scientific basis for the theory and practice of how to live aboard a ship millions of kilometers from our planet. Indeed, in this case, it will be problematic to deliver food, oxygen and water from the Earth, which means that it is necessary to provide a completely closed life support system, or for a very long time. This will also come in handy when settlements on other planets are founded.
So the representatives of many professions have a chance to go to the International Space Station . In addition, almost all cosmonauts have several entities and specializations. Do not forget flight engineers with pilots and just “techies”, because without them the normal operation of the station would be impossible.
What work do astronauts in space do?
Directly overboard the ISS, researchers are mainly engaged in its prevention and maintenance. Moreover, from time to time the station expands due to the modular system.
In 1997, a serious accident occurred at the Mir station: special cartridges for oxygen production caught fire, and the crew had to fight for life for a long time. And after that there was a collision with a cargo ship, as a result of which several solar panels were damaged, and then they had to be reinstalled. But still, mainly when asked what kind of work astronauts do in space, space explorers talk about ordinary maintenance and rare experiments that require a person to be outside the inhabited modules.
Earth activities
Many people dream of flying to the ISS, but even enrolling in an astronaut squad does not guarantee that a person will definitely be there. The number of applicants is too large, and the current development of this industry cannot ensure the presence of all interested scientists in orbit. True, Russia announced the construction of a new, much more modern station, but this is a separate conversation. So what kind of work do people in the profession of astronaut, while on Earth?
Firstly, it is a constant training, both physical and in their specialty, to always be ready to go to the ISS in case of emergency. Secondly, many of them have the knowledge that is needed in the flight control center and in the construction of ships - engineers, physicists, programmers. But thirdly, they develop and test new technologies.