National Astronaut Day 2024 (US): Amazing Facts about Astronauts

National Astronaut Day 2024 (US): People celebrate National Astronaut Day on May 5, 2016, to commemorate the first time an American, Alan Shepard, went to space. We have come a long way, from the first-ever space flight to the longest space flight by a woman.

History of National Astronaut Day

In reaction to the space competition and Russia’s first successful launch, NASA began astronaut selection in January 1959. After reviewing 508 military test pilot records, we selected 110. Based on the final interviews, the selection committee chose seven candidates after a difficult procedure. Astronauts L. Gordon Cooper Jr., Scott Carpenter, Virgil “Gus” Grissom, John H. Glenn Jr., Alan Shepard, Walter Schirra Jr., and Donald Slayton. History would remember the Mercury Seven.

On May 5, 1961, Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. became the first American in space. The flight lasted 15 minutes and covered 116 miles, a milestone. The Uniphi Space Agency established National Astronaut Day in 2016. Our talent and marketing section represents approximately 20 former NASA astronauts.

Astronauts, who keep on inspiring us to reach for the stars, are celebrated as heroes on National Astronaut Day. All those brave people who risked their lives to expand their knowledge about space exploration and the universe at large deserve a tribute. National Astronaut Day intends to share experiences and stories from astronauts, spark curiosity among young space lovers, and motivate them to follow their dreams.

International Day for Human Space Flight 2024: Discover its Unique Facts and History

FAQs for National Astronaut Day

Which human went to space first?

On April 12, 1961, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to go to space. His spacecraft, Vostok 1, completed a 108-minute orbital flight.

How long has an astronaut been in space for the longest amount of time?

Peggy Whitson holds the record for spending the most number of days in space, with 665 days. They set the record on September 2, 2017.

Which astronaut has explored the greatest number of hours in space?

Dr. Ellen Ochoa, a veteran astronaut and former director of the Johnson Space Center, holds the record for the highest number of hours in space with 100 hours in orbit. She received the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award and NASA’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal, along with many other awards.

5 Amazing Facts about Astronauts

Charles Duke, an Apollo 16 astronaut, left a photograph of his family along with a message on its back. The message mentioned his family and the date—April 1972.
Due to low gravity, astronauts cannot feel when their bladders are full, so they receive training to relieve themselves every two hours.
Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut, recorded the first original song in space called “Jewel In The Night.”
Spending time in microgravity can cause astronauts to grow up to 3% taller, but they return to their normal height after a few months back on Earth.
Astronauts on a space station see a sunrise or sunset about every 45 minutes because the space station takes 92 minutes to circle the Earth once.