In our world there are many different professions. Some of them are fascinating, others are complex, and there are also romantic ones. 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. The greatest danger is associated with it, but at the same time it is the most tempting and interesting. In order to determine exactly 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 is difficult to find an adult who in his childhood did not dream of visiting space. Years passed, but now every modern child thinks at least once in his life 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 describe their dreams after school. However, despite such popularity among the younger generation, this profession remains among the rarest in the world because of the highest requirements for each candidate. That is why, if you decide to opt for this specialty, you should begin acquaintance with the profession of an astronaut in order to find out what it includes. You also need to know what requirements are presented to the future space pilot, because you need to start working on yourself already at school.
Profession history
This profession is quite young. Only 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 astronaut on board - Yuri Gagarin. A ship called "Vostok" launched from Baikonur, and from that moment a heroic profession was born - the astronaut, which almost all children dream of. This name is officially assigned to this specialty around the world, and only in the United States representatives of the profession are called astronauts.
The first pilots had to solve only one problem - to make a flight. However, over time, as space systems improved, the profession of an astronaut began to mean much more. The requirements are increasing, which means that on board the spacecraft are a variety of professionals: engineers, researchers, doctors and many other people who share a common goal - to master the new expanses of the universe.
Profession astronaut. Description for children
An astronaut is a person who has to solve many problems on board a ship. His responsibilities include the management of airborne systems, as well as equipment for scientific research. In addition, he should be able to read the readings of all instruments on board and monitor the operation mode of all equipment and the engine of the ship.
Much still implies the profession of "astronaut." Description for children should include all the requirements for the future pilot. Among them, the main thing is to be able to make decisions in unexpected situations. When a ship floats in space, anything is possible.
For example, equipment may fail, which will begin to give incorrect information. Not always a problem can be solved with the help of the Earth. The astronaut must be able to remain calm in any situation and make quick decisions to eliminate every problem that has arisen. That is why alarmists have no place on a space ship.
The main specialties of astronauts
Today, when a person goes further and further in his studies of the Universe, information about the profession of an astronaut becoming more and more extensive. She no longer implies only the ability to control a space ship. If at the initial stage professional pilots became astronauts, then at the present stage many other profiles are already included in this profession. Now there are three main specialties of astronauts.
Test astronaut who is a pilot of the ship. His responsibilities include piloting a spacecraft, takeoff and landing. He must also coordinate the work of each system and any crew action. Test cosmonauts are usually military pilots.
Cosmonaut engineer. This is the person who is responsible for the proper operation of the entire technical system of the aircraft, coordinates all the 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 will be incomplete without mentioning an engineer, because it is he who is responsible for any repairs during a space trip.
Astronaut-researcher, who must have a medical education. He is responsible for the health status of each crew member. In addition, he makes various experiments and studies the behavior of living organisms in zero gravity. Long space expeditions are impossible without the participation of researchers.
Thus, not only the skills of the pilot implies this profession. The astronaut must be able and know a lot. Description this work includes many different specialties, each of which performs the most important task in making space travel.
What are the requirements for the future astronaut
If you decide that after school you will become an astronaut, you need to know that the highest demands are placed on this profession. That is why it is the rarest in the world.
So, if the profession of an astronaut is your hard choice, you must first carefully monitor your physical condition. Strong, almost perfect health is the main requirement for the future candidate. You should not have any chronic diseases or bad habits. In addition, you must have perfect vision. The health of the astronaut should also be excellent because in space you will not find a hospital. That is why future pilots must necessarily own the basics of medical care in various situations.
In addition to physical health, high demands are made on mental health. The future astronaut should be able to keep a sober head and not give in to panic in any situation. In addition, he should not be subject to various depressions and bouts of longing. After all, not everyone can be so far from home indefinitely.
In addition to perfect physical and mental health, another main requirement for the future astronaut is fluency in English. It is on him that they communicate on the International Space Station, which was created by the efforts of many countries. It constantly contains astronauts from different parts of the world, periodically replacing each other.
In addition, you must have a university degree in any technical, medical or military specialty in which you are the best versed. Indeed, in space it is necessary to conduct many scientific experiments, therefore, singers, artists and representatives of other creative specialties are not needed there.
How to become an astronaut
In the Moscow region there is Star City, where there is a special Cosmonaut Training Center. If you have excellent health, high academic performance and education in the required profiles, you can apply here while studying at the university.
The first stage of selection is according to the questionnaires provided, of which 350 people are selected. They take tests in subjects such as physics, mathematics and the Russian language. Then a strict medical commission awaits them. After this stage, the number of candidates is reduced to 50. The most recent selection is already at the Cosmonaut Training Center, where they check whether a person can withstand various difficult tests.
For example, a candidate for cosmonauts can be locked up in an absolutely closed space, where complete silence reigns, and there is not a single person except himself. The term of such imprisonment is 5 days, during which the subject is carefully monitored, noting the slightest change in his behavior. After such difficult trials, there are only eight lucky ones who are enrolled in the squad of future astronauts. However, this does not mean that a space flight 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 of weightlessness. In order to be ready for all these tests, future astronauts study so many years before making their first flight. Their classes are held in special classrooms and gyms. They jump with a parachute, devote a lot of time to flights 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.
Superstition of astronauts
Despite the fact that astronautics is an area in which the accuracy of science and the latest technologies reign, a lot of superstitions and various rituals are associated with it. If you are going to choose this job, you should definitely know what superstitions are associated with the profession of an astronaut.
Some of them originate from the days of the origin of this work. For example, Sergei Korolev, the first general designer, considered Monday an unlucky day to start. The tradition of postponing the departure date has reached 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 that day, which caused numerous casualties, and three years later a fire broke out in one of the mines with a military missile. After that, the date became taboo in the Russian space industry.
Superstitions related to the profession of an astronaut are also firmly connected with the name of Yuri Gagarin, the first astronaut in the world. Before the flight, the crew must visit his office, which is still preserved in the same form in which the legendary pilot left it, and writes his words in the visitors book. Mandatory is a visit to the memorial in memory of Gagarin and other first astronauts who died in the line of duty and laying flowers - red carnations.
Arriving at Baikonur, the future crew settles in the Cosmonaut Hotel, which is a kind of symbol of the representatives of this profession. In front of the building of this hotel there is an alley, the trees of which are planted by the caring hands of the astronauts who returned from successful expeditions. Future pilots take a walk along it, mentally asking for support from their senior colleagues.
The hotel demonstrates a screening of the film “The White Sun of the Desert,” which every crew member should watch.
Also among the obligatory rituals is that on the day of the flight, all cosmonauts must have their hair cut.
During breakfast, before take-off, they take a sip of champagne and leave their autographs on the doors of the rooms in which they lived. They get on a bus decorated with horseshoes to the song Grass at Home. After arriving at the runway, each crew member repeats what Gagarin once did - irrigates the rear right wheel of the bus. Climbing aboard, the crew waved their hands off, but it was strictly forbidden to say goodbye in response - a bad sign.
There is also one among the rituals - to display the word "Tanya" on the launch vehicle before launch. It is believed that this name was first written by a loving officer. According to rumors, when they once forgot to write the coveted word - the rocket exploded.
All crew members have a team mascot that is chosen by the captain of the spacecraft. Usually this is a small toy that bears the common name Boris. It is mounted so that it can be seen by cameras, and ground services can understand by toy that the ship has reached a height where gravity no longer acts.
At the orbital station, astronauts are greeted with bread and salt.
After returning to Earth, the team again performs a series of rituals, including visiting the memorial and planting its own tree.
Such a number of superstitions is another answer to the question of what is interesting in the profession of an astronaut.
Pros of the profession
When you make a decision about your future profession, it is very important to carefully study all its pros and cons. As for the work of the astronaut, of course, she has many advantages:
- you will see what very few 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 the opportunity to touch the future;
- You will look like a hero in the eyes of relatives and friends;
- 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, the profession of an astronaut for children - one of the most tempting and exciting. However, at the same time, you definitely need to understand what disadvantages it carries with it, and be prepared for them. It:
- long and hard work before the first flight;
- a large number of dangers during space travel;
- long separation from family and friends;
- damage to health by prolonged exposure to zero gravity.
In addition, you should know that, regardless of the level of technological progress, it is impossible to create conditions on Earth that completely repeat the cosmic. Despite this amount of training, the astronaut, once in orbit, must be prepared for all the difficulties that may arise.
Finally
After you have learned all the intricacies of the cosmonaut profession, the requirements that apply to candidates, the conditions in which you have to work, your decision will be more balanced. In order for you to realize how well you understand all the difficulties of work, you can write the essay “Profession - Cosmonaut”, in which you describe all its pros and cons. This will help you see how this work is right for you.
However, if you still decide that you want to connect your future with astronautics, start today to take steps towards your dream. Start active in sports, learn English and physics. Read the 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 the development of new planets, and you will become the specialist with whose name the profession of astronaut will be firmly connected. Everything is in your hands, and it depends only on you what future you will have!