Get the latest Science News and Discoveries

'Astronaut’ means 'star sailor.' NASA chose it in 1958 over 'cosmonaut,' or 'universe sailor.' But "Why 'astronaut' won out," says a NASA Johnson Space Center historian, "is a mystery." The reason we chose that term for our space travelers "Was never recorded in NASA’s own historical documents."


None

Get the Android app

Or read this on r/Space

Read more on:

Photo of NASA

NASA

Photo of S

S

Photo of Universe

Universe

Related news:

News photo

NASA and Boeing will attempt 2nd hot fire test of SLS megarocket Feb. 25

News photo

Scientists Clone Endangered Black-Footed Ferret For The First Time And She's Adorable

News photo

Perseverance’s ‘sky crane’ captures Mars descent