An astronaut (from the Ancient Greek ἄστρον (astron), meaning 'star', and ναύτης (nautes), meaning 'sailor') is a person trained, equipped, and deployed by a human spaceflight program to serve as a …

Nov 28, 2025 · The term “astronaut” derives from the Greek words meaning “star sailor,” and refers to all who have been launched as crew members aboard NASA spacecraft bound for orbit and beyond.

Nov 28, 2025 · astronaut, designation, derived from the Greek words for “star” and “sailor,” commonly applied to an individual who has flown in outer space. More specifically, in the West, astronaut refers …

Apr 25, 2025 · Some brave explorers travel across oceans; others blast off into space. This list of famous astronauts celebrates the pioneers of space exploration — those who took "one giant leap" …

The meaning of ASTRONAUT is a person whose profession is to travel beyond the earth's atmosphere; broadly : any person who travels beyond the earth's atmosphere.

Nov 27, 2025 · American astronomer-turned-medical physicist and now NASA astronaut Chris Williams joined two Russian cosmonauts aboard a Soyuz ferry ship Thursday for a Thanksgiving Day flight to …

NASA applies the term astronaut to any crew member aboard NASA spacecraft bound for Earth orbit or beyond. NASA also uses the term as a title for those selected to join its Astronaut Corps.

As of November 2024, there are 47 active astronauts, 12 management astronauts, and 332 former astronauts or payload specialists, including those who have left NASA, and those who are deceased.

Nov 25, 2025 · NASA will provide live coverage as astronaut Chris Williams and two Russians launch to the International Space Station on Thanksgiving.

Nov 19, 2025 · Achieving spaceflight enabled humans to begin to explore the solar system and the rest of the universe, to understand the many objects and phenomena that are better observed from a …