Author
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Topic: When is an astronaut/cosmonaut considered such
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spaceman Member Posts: 1104 From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 07-10-2005 05:44 PM
Hi, I'm sure this has been covered before..if someone can point me in the right direction that would be fine. I'm doing some research and on some lists of spacetravellers it does not include suborbital flights i.e. Al Shepard (Mercury flight). thanks, Nick |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-10-2005 06:36 PM
Common usage dictates that an "astronaut" is a person who launches aboard a U.S. spacecraft. A "cosmonaut" is a person who launches on a Russian/Soviet spacecraft. (A "taikonaut" launches in a Chinese spacecraft.) (An "Astronaut" (proper-title) is someone hired by NASA to fly to space, regardless of whose spacecraft.) That said, there is another definition, that assigns "astronaut" status to anyone who reaches space. Where does space begin? See this thread. |
spaceman Member Posts: 1104 From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 07-14-2005 04:35 PM
Thanks Robert. I knew I'd seen posts on this subject. Can someone please direct me to a site that lists all space travellers in order of flight please? many thanks, Nick. |
RMH Member Posts: 577 From: Ohio Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-15-2005 01:06 PM
http://www.spacefacts.de/english/e_first.htm |
spaceman Member Posts: 1104 From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 07-16-2005 03:17 PM
Thanks RMH, I do use this site I think its great for information and portraits, however they list Alan Shepard as the 48th person in space.Hence back to my original question, thanks anyway, Nick. |
RMH Member Posts: 577 From: Ohio Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-20-2005 02:41 PM
Nick:According to spacefacts.de the link I posted is based on international rules. They only take flights with at least one orbit as "real" spaceflights. Shepards Mercury flight was "only" a sub-orbital flight hence he only got credit for Apollo 14. If you know the dates of all those with a sub-orbital flight you could plug them in and adjust the numbers. A lot of work, but worth a try if you can't find anything else. |
FFrench Member Posts: 3161 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-20-2005 02:48 PM
It's printed instead of online, and only goes up to a certain date - but it's a classic, indispensible book which space buffs should own anyway, and contains the list you are looking for up to the date of publication: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0028970926/ |
spaceman Member Posts: 1104 From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 07-20-2005 04:58 PM
Thanks All, I knew I could rely on this site to come up with the help I require, Nick. |