Astronaut training takes years before an individual is selected for a particular mission.
Astronauts prepare for that launch day with a series of medical tests to ensure they are healthy for the launch and are expected to stay healthy through the mission. They then begin to acclimate themselves to a new time schedule based on launch time. They spend the final day or two at the Kennedy Space Center in simple crew quarters and have a meal together before suiting up several hours before launch.
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Astronauts launch their space shuttles from various locations, including Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. Each space agency has its own designated launch site for launching space shuttles.
Before takeoff, astronauts undergo extensive training to prepare for their mission. This includes simulations of the space mission, physical fitness training, medical check-ups, and learning how to operate the spacecraft and equipment. They also undergo final briefings, safety checks, and suit-up procedures on launch day.
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Astronauts are the individuals who ride in space shuttles. They are highly trained and skilled professionals who undergo rigorous training to prepare for space missions.
There were seven astronauts onboard the space shuttle Challenger when it tragically exploded shortly after its launch on January 28, 1986.