Astronauts: Glossary

A

academic

related to school or studying

artificial environment

conditions provided by equipment that allow a person to be comfortable, safe, breathe, keep a normal body temperature, work, etc

asteroids

space bodies smaller than planets — many orbit between Mars and Jupiter

astronaut

from the Greek meaning "star-sailor"

B

black holes

a space body with gravity so intense that even light cannot escape

C

carbon dioxide

a gaseous element that is exhaled as a waste product

chemistry

science of matter

cochlear implants

surgically implanted devices to allow the deaf to hear

comets

balls of ice, dust and gas that orbit the sun

competition

a rivalry between two groups, such as sports teams

cosmonaut

Russian version of an astronaut — "universe-sailor"

D

docking port

a door or opening to allow craft to lock up and pass people or equipment through without losing atmosphere

E

electrical generator

equipment used for creating electricity

electrolysis

passing electricity through a substance to create a chemical change

engineering

art of using science, physics, and math in construction

F

flammable

capable of catching fire

G

galaxies

groups of solar systems and other space bodies; the Milky Way is a galaxy

gravity

natural attraction of matter between one body and another

H

hydrogen

gaseous element; the most abundant element in the universe; combines with oxygen to form water

hygiene

personal care: bathing, brushing teeth, shaving, etc

I

International Space Station

also known as ISS — a large construction orbiting the earth; used for science and space study

innovations

creative new things

international

involving many countries

L

laboratory

place to perform experiments, work with chemicals, etc

M

manned

requires the aid of a human inside the device to make it work

mechanical

having to do with machines

meteoroids

small space bodies that can enter Earth's atmosphere and become a meteor

meteorology

study of weather

microgravity

condition where bodies are in a freefall back to Earth — they appear to be weightless

micrometeorites

dust particles found in space

military

agencies that protect our country: Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Air Force, and Coast Guard

O

orbital debris

also known as space junk; might include bolts, chunks of metal, gloves, tools that have been left in space and are orbiting the Earth

P

pacemakers

medical devices that keep a person's heart beating correctly

photosynthesis

process by which plants convert sunlight into energy

physicians

medical doctors

Q

qualifications

knowledge, skills and experience a person might have that fit a specific job

R

radiation

energy emitted in particles or waves

resistant

to protect

S

satellites

anything that orbits the Earth — the moon is a satellite. Also, man-made equipment that provides communication and orbits the Earth. Cell service, television, weather and other information can be transmitted from satellites

scuba

self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, i.e., diving equipment; especially the oxygen tank portion

simulators

equipment that provides users the opportunity to practice as if someone were in the real environment

solar panels

Special materials that convert the sun's energy into electricity

solar system

A sun and the bodies that orbit that sun

spacewalk

To leave a spacecraft and go out into space in a special suit

subatomic particles

particles smaller than an atom

T

taikonaut

Chinese version of an astronaut — "space-sailor"

technology

application of science to aid mankind

tethered

attached

U

unmanned

does not require the aid of a human inside the device to make it work — controlled by radio or other methods