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Astronauts: Glossary
A
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academic
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related to school or studying
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artificial environment
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conditions provided by equipment that allow a person to be comfortable, safe, breathe, keep a normal body temperature, work, etc
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asteroids
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space bodies smaller than planets — many orbit between Mars and Jupiter
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astronaut
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from the Greek meaning "star-sailor"
B
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black holes
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a space body with gravity so intense that even light cannot escape
C
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carbon dioxide
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a gaseous element that is exhaled as a waste product
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chemistry
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science of matter
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cochlear implants
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surgically implanted devices to allow the deaf to hear
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comets
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balls of ice, dust and gas that orbit the sun
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competition
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a rivalry between two groups, such as sports teams
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cosmonaut
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Russian version of an astronaut — "universe-sailor"
D
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docking port
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a door or opening to allow craft to lock up and pass people or equipment through without losing atmosphere
E
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electrical generator
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equipment used for creating electricity
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electrolysis
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passing electricity through a substance to create a chemical change
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engineering
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art of using science, physics, and math in construction
F
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flammable
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capable of catching fire
G
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galaxies
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groups of solar systems and other space bodies; the Milky Way is a galaxy
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gravity
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natural attraction of matter between one body and another
H
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hydrogen
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gaseous element; the most abundant element in the universe; combines with oxygen to form water
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hygiene
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personal care: bathing, brushing teeth, shaving, etc
I
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innovations
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creative new things
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international
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involving many countries
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International Space Station
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also known as ISS — a large construction orbiting the earth; used for science and space study
L
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laboratory
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place to perform experiments, work with chemicals, etc
M
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manned
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requires the aid of a human inside the device to make it work
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mechanical
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having to do with machines
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meteoroids
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small space bodies that can enter Earth's atmosphere and become a meteor
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meteorology
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study of weather
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microgravity
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condition where bodies are in a freefall back to Earth — they appear to be weightless
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micrometeorites
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dust particles found in space
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military
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agencies that protect our country: Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Air Force, and Coast Guard
O
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orbital debris
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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
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pacemakers
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medical devices that keep a person's heart beating correctly
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photosynthesis
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process by which plants convert sunlight into energy
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physicians
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medical doctors
Q
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qualifications
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knowledge, skills and experience a person might have that fit a specific job
R
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radiation
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energy emitted in particles or waves
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resistant
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to protect
S
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satellites
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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
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scuba
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self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, i.e., diving equipment; especially the oxygen tank portion
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simulators
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equipment that provides users the opportunity to practice as if someone were in the real environment
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solar panels
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Special materials that convert the sun's energy into electricity
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solar system
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A sun and the bodies that orbit that sun
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spacewalk
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To leave a spacecraft and go out into space in a special suit
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subatomic particles
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particles smaller than an atom
T
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taikonaut
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Chinese version of an astronaut — "space-sailor"
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technology
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application of science to aid mankind
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tethered
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attached
U
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unmanned
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does not require the aid of a human inside the device to make it work — controlled by radio or other methods