Top 5 Facts: Weird astronaut training

Survival training

NASA’s first manned space programmes involved landing space capsules in the ocean. Astronauts were trained for surviving on the ocean and also had jungle training.

Centrifuges

To gain experience of high g-forces experienced from high levels of acceleration, trainee astronauts are spun on the end of a long arm that rotates at high speed.

Fitness

Astronauts have to be fit and healthy. Fitness programmes in the early days of space exploration were intensive and involved training in oxygen-deprived environments.

Floating

Astronauts are given the sensation of working in spacesuits in giant water tanks. NASA uses the worlds largest indoor pool-holding shuttle and station mock-ups.

Simulators

Astronauts train for their mission in mock-ups and simulators. These give a realistic impression of the tasks that they will carry out and the living conditions.