Have you ever wanted to become an astronaut? If yes, then you’re not alone. Being able to experience zero gravity is a mutual interest among individuals of all ages. But having such an opportunity handed to you also means enduring some serious training.
Most astronauts endure two years’ worth of entry-level training, which some astronauts compare to military training. It’s physically demanding, psychologically challenging, and stressful, among other things.
Astronauts are highly-trained for spaceflight and to work in a spacesuit with specialized tools, but that’s not all. Astronauts also endure psychological stresses that come with the job, which encompasses fast-paced, goal-oriented objectives.
Much of the stressful environment endured while learning to become an astronaut can be useful in the field, as traveling to space can be daunting at first. Learning to manage stress helps astronauts work well under pressure, which is often required in emergencies above the ground.
Astronauts must be team players, proficient in their field, and be analytical thinkers. But more importantly, astronauts must be willing to do whatever it takes to succeed, a trait not everyone possesses.
So do you have what it takes to be an astronaut?
