Training

Astronauts usually train for 8 months-2 1/2 years. Most of the training is done underwater because there isn't as much gravity underwater as there is on Earth so it is a perfect simulation. Astronauts have to be in perfect shape to go into space. Being healthy prevents a lot of illnesses and diseases that you can catch in space while being unhealthy.

Astronauts must get used to living and working in space. To do this, astronauts would go flying in a special aircraft called the KC-135 airplane. The KC-135 airplane flies really high at a really fast speed and suddenly drops. For a moment, all the passengers float inside the airplane like a piece of paper in a breeze.

Finally, astronauts train on simulators. Simulators have dials and switches that are in the exact placement as the actual space shuttle so astronauts don't have any confusion about where a special switch is during a real emergency. Simulators also help astronauts to know what to do when they are in space.

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