Astronauts conduct experiments and gather information while in space flight, including on the

International Space Station. They also conduct experiments with the spacecraft itself to develop new
concepts in design, engineering, and the navigation of a vehicle outside the Earth's atmosphere.

Requirements
Any adult man or woman in excellent physical condition who meets the basic qualifications can be
selected to enter astronaut training, according to NASA. The basic requirements are U.S. citizenship,
a minimum of a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological or physical science, or mathematics, and
work experience. Astronauts must be highly trained, skilled professionals with a tremendous desire to
learn about outer space and to participate in the highly dangerous exploration of it. They must have a
deep curiosity with extremely fine and quick reactions. They may have to react in emergency
conditions that may never before have been experienced, and to do so they must be able to remain
calm and to think quickly and logically. As individuals they must be able to respond intelligently to
strange and different conditions and circumstances.

Work
Astronauts do work that is difficult, challenging, and potentially dangerous. They work closely as a
team because their safety depends on their being able to rely on one another. They work a normal 40-
hour week when preparing and testing for a space flight, but, as countdown approaches and activity is
stepped up, they may work long hours, seven days a week. While on a mission, of course, they work
as many hours as necessary to accomplish their objectives. Long-duration missions on the
International Space Station last from three to six months.

Astronauts on a space flight have to become accustomed to floating around in cramped quarters.
Because of the absence of gravity, they must eat and drink either through a straw or very carefully
with a fork and spoon. Astronauts buckle and zip themselves into sleep bunks to keep from drifting
around the cabin. Sleeping is generally done in shifts, which means that lights, noises, and activity are
a constant factor.

The training period is rigorous, and conditions in the simulators and trainers can be restrictive and
uncomfortable. Exercises to produce the effect of weightlessness may cause air sickness in new
trainees.