Astronaut

Find out everything there is to know about astronauts and stay updated on the latest space news with the comprehensive articles, interactive features and space pictures at LiveScience.com. Learn more about these fascinating scientists as they continue to make amazing discoveries.

Related Topics: Innovation, Mars, NASA, Planets

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NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei shortly after returning to Earth on March 30, 2022.

NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei back on Earth after record-breaking mission

By Chelsea Gohd published

NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei can't wait to see his wife after landing back on Earth after a record-breaking mission.

Founder Jeff Bezos has announced he and his brother will be among the passengers of Blue Origin's first crewed flight.

Watch NOW: Jeff Bezos is going to space

By Stephanie Pappas published

Here's where to watch Jeff Bezos and three other crew members go to space on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket.

Blue Origin personnel standing in as astronauts during Mission NS-15 pose in front of the New Shepard Crew Capsule after a successful mission on April 14, 2021.

18-year-old physics student to fly to edge of space with Bezos

By Stephanie Pappas published

Oliver Daemen, 18, will accompany Jeff Bezos to space on July 20 aboard New Shepard.

The Blue Abyss pool will have a 164-foot-deep (50 meters) shaft to simulate microgravity conditions.

World's largest (and deepest) indoor pool to house new astronaut training center

By Tereza Pultarova published

A British company plans to build the world's largest swimming pool as part of a center that will house facilities for commercial astronaut training and the development of underwater robots.

A man models an astronaut undergarment — known as a Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment — that was designed for the Space Shuttle/International Space Station Extravehicular Mobility Unit, photographed in 1994.

Astronauts may finally start cleaning their space underwear (with microbes)

By Mindy Weisberger published

Bacterial compounds could provide antimicrobial protection in undergarments shared by astronauts during spacewalks.

Left image shows astronaut Michael Collins in Apollo spacesuit, right image shows collins at Collins is seen at the National Press Club in 2019

Michael Collins, Apollo 11 pilot, dies at age 90

By Nicoletta Lanese published

Collins piloted the Apollo 11 command module as his crewmates walked on the Moon.

Former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, seen addressing supporters on Tuesday night (Nov. 3) in Tucson, has been elected by the state of Arizona to the U.S. Senate. Kelly is the fourth astronaut to secure a seat in Congress.

Mark Kelly becomes 4th astronaut elected to Congress

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Mark Kelly has won a seat in the U.S. Senate, making him only the fourth NASA astronaut to be elected to Congress.

international space station expedition 62

Without gravity, the fluid around an astronaut's brain moves in weird ways

By Doris Elin Salazar published

The fluid that cushions the human brain redistributes in the skull during spaceflight, according to a new study.

Stephan Moll and a team of NASA doctors prescribed blood clot treatment for an astronaut at the International Space Station.

An Astronaut Got a Blood Clot in Space. Here's How Doctors on Earth Fixed It.

By Leonard David published

An unidentified astronaut aboard the International Space Station had a deep vein thrombosis — or blood clot — in the jugular vein of their neck, according to a new case study.

The Astronaut Snoopy plush doll flown to the International Space Station stands 8 inches tall and was made by Hallmark.

Hallmark's Astronaut Snoopy Is 50% Off on Amazon

By Tariq Malik published

The Beagle has landed, and it's on sale!

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine says the first astronaut to walk on Mars could be a woman.

The 1st Human on Mars May Be a Woman, NASA Chief Says

By Hanneke Weitering published

It won't be long before we see the first woman on Mars, and she just might beat the first man there, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said Friday (Oct. 18).

NASA

Space Radiation Doesn't Seem to Be Causing Astronauts to Die from Cancer, Study Finds

By Rachael Rettner published

That may be true for the short missions astronauts have gone on so far. But Mars will be a different story.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule emerges from the Atlantic following an uncrewed trip to the International Space Station March 8, 2019. This same capsule was apparently damaged during a safety test April 20.

A SpaceX Crew Dragon Safety Test Went Very Wrong. Here's Why That Matters

By Rafi Letzter published

SpaceX tested the escape system on its Crew Dragon capsule. Smoke from the failure was visible for miles.

"[It's] like walking in an underground wonderland," said NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, describing his experience underground in the Sa Grutta caves in Sardinia, Italy.

Astronauts Spent 6 Nights in a Pitch-Black Cave, and Emerged with a Brand-New Species of Crustacean

By Brandon Specktor published

An international team of astronauts has discovered new life (in a cave below Italy).

Ripley, SpaceX's Dummy astronaut

Meet Ripley, SpaceX's Dummy Astronaut Riding on Crew Dragon Test Flight

By Meghan Bartels published

SpaceX's famous "Starman" dummy onboard the inaugural Falcon Heavy launch is about to have some competition — from a new dummy, named Ripley, strapped into the company's first Crew Dragon capsule.

The International Space Station

No, Bacteria Aren't Mutating into Superbugs on the International Space Station

By Rafi Letzter published

Bacteria on the International Space Station are evolving and changing in the strange orbital environment. But they don't seem to be any more dangerous to humans.

Scientists will send thousands of <em>C. elegans</em> up to space in hopes of understanding muscle loss in astronauts.

Delay of SpaceX Launch May Mean 36,000 Wormy Passengers Are Too Old for Their Planned Experiments

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

Here's what those wriggling worms are expected to do in space ... and it's not to scare aliens.

Astronaut Harrison Schmitt with the American flag and the Earth in the background, during a trek on the lunar surface as part of the Apollo 17 mission.

Last Man to Walk on the Moon Mistaken About Climate Change on Earth

By Mindy Weisberger published

Astronaut Harrison Schmitt saw Earth from space, but doesn't see that human activity is shaping climate change.

An artist's depiction of ESA's Trace Gas Orbiter at work around Mars.

Astronauts Going to Mars Will Absorb Crazy Amounts of Radiation. Now We Know How Much.

By Meghan Bartels published

There are plenty of challenges to putting people on Mars, whether you look at the rocket, the astronaut or the planet itself.

florence landfall

Watch Hurricane Florence Make Landfall in This Incredible Space Station Video

By Meghan Bartels published

Hurricane Florence, the vast storm meteorologists and astronauts alike have been tracking, made landfall this morning (Sept. 14) near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.