Astronauti

Astronauti are individuals trained to command, pilot, or serve as crew on spacecraft, and to conduct operations in outer space. The term is used in several languages, including Italian and Finnish, to refer to space travelers. Astronauti typically participate in orbital missions, spacewalks, and long-duration stays on space stations, performing scientific experiments, inspecting spacecraft, and supporting maintenance and logistics.

Origins of human spaceflight date to the mid-20th century with the space race. The first human in space, Yuri Gagarin, flew in 1961 aboard Vostok 1. Since then, astronauts have flown for NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, CNSA, JAXA and other agencies, with international crews often working together on the International Space Station.

Training is highly selective and rigorous, combining academic credentials in science, engineering, or medicine with physical conditioning, simulations, and survival training. Candidates learn spacecraft operation, robotics, space physics, EVA procedures, and language skills. In mission crews, roles include Commander, Pilot, and Flight or Mission Specialists; astronauts may conduct experiments, deploy satellites, or perform repairs on orbital platforms.

Notable milestones include the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova; and the first American woman in space, Sally Ride. The field continues to expand with commercial programs and international collaborations, most prominently aboard the International Space Station, which serves as a training ground and research laboratory for astronauti and research teams worldwide.

See also: Astronaut, Space exploration, Extravehicular activity. Terminology varies by language; "astronauti" is the plural form in several European languages.