1. Astronauts vs. Cosmonauts
Jacob McKown

2. Overview Space Race Cosmonauts Astronauts Why “Cosmonauts”? Training
First man and woman in space
Astronauts
Why “Astronauts”?
Americans in Space

3. Space Race
The U.S. and U.S.S.R. recognized the potential of rockets and began tests
Soviet Union sent the first artificial satellite to space: Sputnik I
October 4th, 1957
Explorer I
First American artificial satellite
January 31st, 1958

4. Cosmonauts (Kosmonavt)
Soviet Union / Russian spacemen/ women
First in Space
First Man in space
First Woman in space

5. Why “Cosmonaut”?
Derived from the Greek words, “kosmos” meaning “universe” and, “nautes” meaning “sailor”
“Space-Sailor”

6. Cosmonaut Training
Skills in operating and controlling transport space vehicles, orbital scientific research complex and onboard systems
Conducting space systems tests and scientific researches under space conditions
Physical training to prepare a cosmonaut for unfavorable factors of space flight

7. First Man and Woman in Space
First Woman
Yuri Gargarin
First person to orbit the Earth
Went into space in April of 1961
Orbit lasted 108 minutes (1 hour 48 minutes)
Flew the Vostok I
Valentina Tereshkova
First woman to go to space
Went up in 1963
Orbited the Earth for almost 3 days
Flew the Vostok VI

8. Astronauts
American Spacemen/ women
First on the Moon

9. Why “Astronaut”?
Derived from the Greek words “astron” meaning “star” and “nautes” meaning “sailor”
“Star-Sailor”

10. Astronaut Training Vehicle and space station systems
Earth sciences, meteorology, space science and engineering
Military Land and Water- Survival Training
Mentorship from experienced astronauts

11. Americans in Space Alan Shepard John Glenn First American in Space
May 1961
Rocket wasn’t powerful enough to get his shuttle into Earth’s orbit
Flew the Freedom 7
Mercury Capsule
Flight lasted 15 minutes
First American to orbit the Earth
February 1962
Friendship 7
Mercury Capsule
Orbited for 4 hours 55 minutes

12. Americans in Space Neil Armstrong Buzz Aldrin
First man to walk on the Moon
July 20th, 1969
Aboard Apollo 11
Powered by Saturn V Rocket
Second man to walk on the Moon
July 20th, 1969
Aboard Apollo 11
Powered by Saturn V Rocket

13. Questions?

14. Works cited
Fun Astronaut Facts for Kids. (2014, July 24). Retrieved September 17, 2014, from
McHale, S. (n.d.). Cosmonaut training overview. Retrieved September 17, 2014, from
Harris, W., & Chandler, N. (2008, March 24). How Astronauts Work. Retrieved September 17, 2014, from
Montgomery, J., & Millspaugh, B. (2010). History of Rockets. In B. Brooks, S. Mallett, & J. Stone (Eds.), Aerospace Dimensions: Rockets (2nd ed., Vol. 4, pp. 5-7). Maxwell AFB, Alabama 36112: National Headquarters Civil Air Patrol.