astronaut

astronaut

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Pronunciation

IPA phonetic spelling for "astronaut":

• /ˈæs.trə.nɔːt/

Breakdown by syllable:

• æs: /æs/ - as in "cat"

• trə: /trə/ - as in "create"

• nɔːt: /nɔːt/ - as in "caught"

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Word Form Variations

• Singular noun: astronaut

• Plural noun: astronauts

• Adjective: astronautic (less common, but exists)

• Adjective: astronautical (more common than astronautic)

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

• Definition 1: A person specifically trained, equipped, and often financially supported by a government or private enterprise to travel beyond Earth's atmosphere into outer space, typically to perform scientific research, explore celestial bodies, or participate in space station operations.

• Synonyms: cosmonaut, spaceman, spacefarer, voyager (in a space context)

• Antonyms: terrestrial (referring to someone Earth-bound), landlubber (colloquial, not a direct antonym but implies lack of space travel)

• Definition 2: Figuratively, an individual who embarks on a journey into an unknown or challenging domain, often requiring specialized knowledge, courage, and a pioneering spirit, much like a literal space traveler.

• Synonyms: pioneer, explorer, trailblazer, adventurer

• Antonyms: follower, conformist, bystander

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "In An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, Chris Hadfield shares insights from his remarkable career, offering lessons applicable far beyond the confines of a spaceship." (Chris Hadfield, An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, 2013)

• "The protagonist, a former astronaut, grappled with the psychological toll of deep-space isolation." (Example of general book discourse, often found in reviews or synopses of science fiction)

• Newspapers:

• "NASA announced today that a new class of astronaut candidates will begin training next spring, focusing on missions to the Moon." (Example of a typical headline from a major newspaper like The New York Times)

• "Retired astronaut Mae Jemison visited local schools to inspire students about STEM careers." (Example from a local newspaper)

• Online Publications:

• "What does it take to become an astronaut? Space.com breaks down the rigorous selection process and training." (Space.com)

• "Blue Origin’s latest suborbital flight carried its youngest-ever astronaut into space." (Ars Technica)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film: "The film First Man dramatically portrays Neil Armstrong's journey to becoming the first astronaut to walk on the Moon." (Example of film review or description, widely available since the film's release in October 2018)

• Television Series: "In the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind, the lives of astronauts and their families are explored in an alternate history where the space race never ended." (Example of TV show description, streaming since November 2019)

• Video Games: "Players in Kerbal Space Program design rockets and manage their own space program, sending little green astronauts into orbit and beyond." (Example of game description, widely available since its full release in April 2015)

• Music: "David Bowie's 'Space Oddity' tells the melancholic story of an astronaut adrift in space." (Example of song analysis, song released July 1969)

• Podcasts: "On the StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson podcast, frequently, former astronauts are interviewed about their experiences." (Example of podcast content, ongoing since April 2009)

• General Public Discourse:

• "My dream since I was a little kid has always been to become an astronaut." (Common personal aspiration)

• "Did you hear that Elon Musk is planning to send a civilian astronaut crew to Mars?" (Common discussion about space exploration news)

• "When you think about the courage an astronaut must have, it's truly awe-inspiring." (General commentary on qualities of astronauts)

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10 Quotes Using Astronaut

1. "Space is for everybody. It's not just for a few people in science or engineering, or for a few astronauts." (Kalpana Chawla)

2. "Being an astronaut is a lot like being a fighter pilot. You are in a machine, and you are trying to make it do what you want it to do." (Scott Kelly)

3. "I think being an astronaut is a wonderful thing. It's a great adventure." (Buzz Aldrin)

4. "Every astronaut has a story." (Mae Jemison)

5. "The best advice I can give to anyone who wants to be an astronaut is to study hard and never give up." (Peggy Whitson)

6. "I would love to be an astronaut." (Jeff Bezos)

7. "The most important thing for an astronaut is to be able to adapt to new situations." (Samantha Cristoferetti)

8. "Being an astronaut is not about being a hero; it's about being a professional." (Mike Massimino)

9. "I think every astronaut has a moment when they look out the window and realize how fragile Earth is." (Nicole Stott)

10. "The most dangerous thing about being an astronaut is the drive to the launch pad." (Alan Shepard)

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Etymology

The word "astronaut" is a combination of two ancient Greek words:

• "astro" comes from astron (ἄστρον), which means "star."

• "naut" comes from nautes (ναύτης), which means "sailor."

So, put together, an astronaut literally means a "star sailor." It gives you this image of someone navigating through the stars, much like an old-time sailor navigated the seas.

The first known use of the word "astronaut" wasn't actually for a person, but for a spacecraft! In 1880, a writer named Percy Greg used "Astronaut" as the name of a fictional spaceship in his book Across the Zodiac.

It started to be used more in the sense of a "space traveler" in science fiction around the 1920s and 1930s. For example, Neil R. Jones used it in this modern sense in his 1930 short story "The Death's Head Meteor."

When NASA was formed in the late 1950s and preparing for human spaceflight, they officially adopted the word "astronaut" to describe the people they would train to go into space, likely inspired by the earlier use of "aeronaut" for air travelers. At the same time, the Soviets came up with their own term, "cosmonaut," which also means "universe sailor" (from Greek kosmos for "universe").

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Astronaut

• To feel like an astronaut in a crowded room: (Original) To feel completely out of place or detached from the people around you, as if observing from another world.

• An astronaut's view: A perspective that is broad, detached, and encompasses the whole picture, often implying a sense of awe or understanding of interconnectedness.

• To be on an astronaut's schedule: (Original) To have an extremely rigid and demanding schedule, with every minute accounted for, much like the precise planning required for space missions.

• Astronaut of the mind: (Original) Someone who explores deep intellectual or philosophical realms.

• Lost in space (like an astronaut): (Idiom using a related concept) Feeling completely disoriented, confused, or without direction.

• One giant leap for an astronaut: (Play on famous quote) A significant personal achievement or breakthrough for an individual.

• To launch like an astronaut: To start something with great power, speed, or ambition.

• To be floating like an astronaut: To be in a state of weightlessness, either literally or figuratively feeling light and unburdened.

• Cosmic cowboy/spaceman: (Informal, often used for fictional characters or early space explorers) Someone who embodies the adventurous and pioneering spirit of space travel.

• To have stars in one's eyes (like a future astronaut): (Idiom with a connection) To be full of optimistic dreams and ambitions, particularly about space or exploration.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of astronaut from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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