very slowly, please. Thank you.
Astronauts.
Astronauts are people who travel into space. Most astronauts live and work on the International Space Station (ISS).
This is the ISS. It's a huge spacecraft that travels around the Earth.
Sometimes astronauts go outside the ISS. This is called space walking.
Space school.
Before they can go into space, astronauts must train for at least two years.
Astronauts learn how to fly a spacecraft using a simulator.
They get used to working with different types of scientific equipment.
In space everything floats. Astronauts train underwater to get used to the feeling.
All astronauts have to learn to speak English and Russian.
Astronauts also need to learn how to repair the space station.
These astronauts are repairing a model of part of the ISS in a training pool.
Lift off.
Astronauts go to the ISS in a spacecraft called Soyuz. It travels into space in a rocket.
Once the rocket reaches space, parts that aren't needed any more fall away.
1. The booster rockets drop off first.
2. The nose cone is next.
3. The rocket's body is last.
There's not much room inside the Soyuz spacecraft.
Arrival
As Soyuz travels through space, solar panels fold out. They collect energy from the Sun to power the spacecraft.
About six hours after taking off, Soyuz reaches the ISS.
1. Soyuz lines up with a docking port on the ISS.
2. It flies closer very slowly and joins on. Locks hold it in place.
3. A hatch opens on the ISS. The astronauts float on board.
A few times a year, spacecraft carry fresh supplies from Earth to the ISS.
Inside the ISS
The ISS is made up of lots of small rooms joined together.
This picture has parts cut away, so you can see inside.
A laboratory for carrying out experiments.
Solar panels use the Sun's energy to power the ISS.
Robot arm.
Windows for looking at space.
Store room.
Sleeping cabins.
Docking port.
Soyuz.
Supply spacecraft.
Toilet.
Spacesuits
When astronauts go outside the ISS they have to wear a spacesuit.
1. First they put on a layer that can keep them warm or cool.
2. They then pull on a thick layer over their legs and feet.
3. A thick top and backpack go on next. The backpack carries air for breathing.
It takes about 45 minutes to put o a spacesuit.
Microphone for talking to other astronauts.
4. Gloves and a cap are next. The cap has speakers and a microphone.
5. A helmet goes on last. Tubes bring air from the backpack into the helmet.
Airlock.
To get outside, astronauts go through an airlock. It has doors and two small rooms that stop air escaping from the ISS.
Equipment Lock.
Astronauts go into the Equipment Lock and put on their spacesuits.
Crew Lock.
They enter the Crew Lock next. Air is sucked back into the ISS.
Then they open an outer hatch and go out into space.
This astronaut is clipping a rope onto the ISS.
It's fixed to his suit, so he won't float away.
The longest ever space walk lasted eight hours and 56 minutes.
