The Cosmic Question: What is the difference between an astronaut and an astronaut

Just 100 years ago, people could not even dream of being able to travel through the air, overcoming huge distances at high speed. All the more fantastic was the idea of a man in space. At the present time, the fact of semi-annual stay of people in orbit is already common. Often, the screens of the TV tell about people who conquer space. But sometimes they are called astronauts, and sometimes - astronauts. What is the difference?

Where did the word begin?

In order to understand how an astronaut differs from an astronaut, one must understand the origin of words.

The world first learned the word "astronaut". It is believed that it debuted on the pages of a fantastic novel by the English writer P. Greg in 1880. But it has not gained much popularity. In 1929, this word was used as a scientific definition in the article of the British Astronomical Association.

The word "astronaut" in 1935 was offered by the scientist, engaged in the calculation of the trajectories of rocket flights, the popularizer of the science of space - Shternfeld AA But the scientific environment did not immediately take this innovation. Some learned men categorically rejected the new term, including it as unnecessary neologisms. Nevertheless, after the middle of the 20th century, the term "astronaut" was supplemented first by a scientific vocabulary, and then by the vocabulary of an ordinary person.

Both words have Greek roots. "Astronaut" from the language of Pythagoras literally translates as "the universal navigator", and "astronaut" is a "star seafarer".

If we consider the exact definitions of each word, then the astronaut can not find the difference from the astronaut. After all, both terms denote a person engaged in scientific research in outer space. True, in different countries of the world these concepts are shared, speaking about people of one profession. So, let's clarify, than the astronaut differs from the astronaut, what's the difference?

The Cold War

The differentiation of terms was played by the main role of politics. She also determined how the astronaut differs from the astronaut. After the end of World War II, the Soviet Union and America were stuck in the arms race and scientific discoveries for several decades, allowing them to overtake the enemy's country. Or, as they say, in the Cold War.

In the postwar period, the active development of programs related to the exploration of outer space began. The tests began to launch manned spacecraft into the Earth's orbit. People sent out of the Earth in the USSR decided to call astronauts, and in America - astronauts. And although, in fact, these concepts are synonymous, the warring countries have deliberately focused on the astronaut's difference from the astronaut.

Until now, in the media and scientific literature of different countries, speaking of people plowing the expanses of the universe, use different terms. It turns out that the main difference in what a cosmonaut differs from an astronaut is his nationality. If a Russian pilot flies to the stars, then an "astronaut" speaks of him, if an American, a Japanese, a European is an "astronaut."

The first in space

We, of course, realize that it does not matter what the astronaut is different from the astronaut, because all these people are real heroes.

The first person to be in space was a Soviet test pilot, and in combination - an astronaut, Yuri Gagarin. This happened in 1961, on April 12. The flight lasted a little more than 100 minutes. Now this day in our country celebrate the Day of Astronautics.

The second person, who set off on a rocket into a near-earth orbit, was cosmonaut German Stepanovich Titov. In space, he spent more than a day.

In America, the first person and the third in the world to fly in the orbit of the Earth on a spacecraft, was astronaut John Herschel Glenn Jr.. During his stay in space, he flew around the planet three times.

Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova (1963) became the first woman-cosmonaut who conquered outer space.

Who is in orbit now?

According to the Flight Control Center on June 2, 2017, the international space station has a crew of three:

1. Test cosmonaut, 1st class commander, ISS-52 commander-Yurchikhin Fedor Nikolaevich (Russia).
2. NASA astronaut, flight engineer - Peggy Winston (USA).
3. NASA astronaut, flight engineer - Jack Fisher (USA).

For these people it does not matter what the astronaut is different from the astronaut. The main thing is scientific and research work, which will allow earthmen to approach the secrets of the Universe. Perhaps, it is thanks to such selfless people that we will be able to travel amongst the stars and other planets.