Can anyone be an astronaut?
Of course not. You don't have to have a science degree but most astronauts do. Most of them are pilots too. Life in a spaceship is hard so you must have a healthy body and mind. You need to be easy-going, patient, and helpful to spend so much time in a small space with other people.
What's the training like?
People have to train for a year to learn how to stay healthy and safe. They practise space walking and living in zero gravity （重力）. They train in difficult conditions to learn how to solve problems and to work in a team. Everyday tasks like eating, washing and sleeping can be difficult on a spaceship. There is no running water so you have to wash with wet tissues; it's hard to enjoy the dry food that astronauts have to eat. And to sleep you must cover your eyes because the sun rises every 90 minutes on the International Space Station. You also have to tie yourself to something so you don't fly away!
What health problems do astronauts have?
Life in zero gravity causes changes to our bodies. Bones and muscles （肌肉）become thin and weak so you must do a lot of exercise in space to stay fit and to help the heart move blood around your body. Astronauts often get backache because you grow in space—up to 8 centimeters! It's also common to have headaches and to feel sick, especially at the beginning. You must have vitamins to take the place of fresh fruit and vegetables. But you don't have to put on sun cream because space suits protect your skin（皮肤）.
Are you still interested?
So now you know. If you want to go to space, study hard, learn to fly and take care of your body and mind.
