Astronauts: Glossary

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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"

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

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

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

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

hydrogen: gaseous element; the most abundant element in the universe; combines with oxygen to form water
hygiene: personal care: bathing, brushing teeth, shaving, etc

innovations: creative new things
international: involving many countries
International Space Station: also known as ISS — a large construction orbiting the earth; used for science and space study

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

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

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

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