WHAT DOES IT BE AN ASTRONAUT ?

               WHAT DOES IT BE AN ASTRONAUT ? 

MOONWALKER Edwin E. "Buzz Aldrn. Ji, makes history on July 20, 1969 He vas photographed by Gmdr: Neil A. Armstrong from the lunar landmg module, while fellow astronaut ichael Collins continued orbiting the moon in Apollo

In 1959 seven handpicked pilots be- came the first U.S. astronauts, or "star sailors." Initially, all were to be qualified test pilots. Professional scientists were included in 1965, and more when NASA began the space shuttle joined program in 1972. Women and minorities were also added to the roster, eventually commanding shuttle flights. The U.S. space program now has fewer than a hundred active astronauts. Astronauts' duties include walking in space, flying the shuttle, and constructing international Space Station. They also conduct experiments, make observations, maintain and repair equipment, contribute to the design and testing of In 2001 private citizen Dennis Tito paid new space vehicles. reported $20 million to board a Russian spacecraft for a "vacation" that included a stay aboard the International Space Station. The U.S. and Russian space agencies refer to space tourists "spaceflight. participants.".