Core elements of astronaut training
Astronaut training is a multi-year process that prepares candidates for the physical, technical, and psychological demands of spaceflight. Training covers spacecraft systems, scientific procedures, spacewalking, emergency response, and living and working in microgravity.
Key training components include:
- Spacecraft systems and simulator training to operate vehicles like Orion and Dragon.
- Extravehicular activity (EVA) practice in neutral buoyancy pools to simulate weightlessness.
- Robotic arm operation and payload handling.
- Flight and survival training, including jet aircraft lessons.
- Medical training and crew resource management for teamwork under stress.
Ongoing and mission-specific training
- Mission-specific simulations replicate entire mission timelines, contingencies, and coordination with ground teams.
- Training aboard the International Space Station (ISS) includes long-duration science operations and maintenance.
- Psychological preparation and family support help astronauts cope with isolation and long missions.
This rigorous, multidisciplinary approach ensures crews are technically ready, physically fit, and mentally prepared to operate safely and effectively in space.