By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 30, 2024
Space exploration is one of the most exciting avenues of science. And while a space mission is the result of thousands of individuals working tirelessly, from the aerospace engineering staff to the test pilot to the mission specialist, the astronauts are the bravest and most prominent. These men and women risk their lives to go into space with their crew members and make incredible discoveries. They blast from the Earth in a rocket or space shuttle and hope to end up in orbit, on the moon, or in the International Space Station. Some astronauts are quite rightly respected throughout the world. But which famous astronaut are you most like? This quiz lets you find out.
This quiz uses the broader definition of the word “astronaut,” meaning space traveler in general, instead of just American/NATO space explorers. Some may disagree with that definition. But it’s undeniable that everyone in the results is an important person in the history of voyaging into space.
To become an astronaut, you used to have to undergo thousands of hours of rigorous training. Nowadays, you can just be extremely rich. Depending on your answers ahead, either way could be your path to the stars…
famous astronaut
Famous astronauts have been lauded as some of the bravest people in history. But many of the most famous astronauts have/had very different personalities. Some are extroverted, while others prefer to keep to themselves. And it's important to remember that there's been more than one space agency throughout history. What one space agency considers to be important factors in astronaut selection will be different from another's.
Whether it's being based on the International Space Station, flying up in a space shuttle, taking part in a moon landing, or taking part in other space missions, the people who are exploring space have all made significant contributions to human advancement. This quiz can't hope to list them all. Instead, it selects some of the most interesting famous astronauts, such as the first person to walk on the moon, the first woman in space, the first person to orbit the earth, and the first businessman to build a rocket and fly to space. And also, that means that some people had to be excluded. Sorry, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, being the second person to walk on the moon is great. But we needed more diversity! Buzz Aldrin himself probably doesn't mind.
The people included in the quiz results got to space through different means, either by becoming a NASA astronaut, rising through the Soviet Air Force, or by investing lots of time and money. Additionally, the famous astronauts all have different backgrounds. Some had pretty typical middle-class upbringings, while others had difficult childhoods. But in the end, they all earned their place in the astronaut hall of fame.
Which Famous Astronaut Are You?
Ever fantasized about donning a spacesuit and floating among the stars like the heroes of humanity's greatest frontier? Of course, you have; we all have! Space exploration has a knack for igniting our collective imagination and catapulting famous astronauts into the public eye. Think about it—their names are etched in the annals of history, and their faces have graced countless cereal boxes and textbooks.
We've watched in awe as they've propelled themselves through the cosmos, sharing dreams of venturing beyond our blue planet. These trailblazers aren't just icons; they're our celestial doppelgangers! Ever wondered which cosmic pioneer reflects your stellar personality? Are you a fearless leader like Neil Armstrong, taking that giant leap for mankind, or are you pushing the boundaries of what's possible, just like Sally Ride?
Let's embark on a little space mission of our own, right here at BrainFall. We're going to match you up with a famous astronaut who shares your sense of adventure and wonder. Buckle up and prepare for lift-off as we journey through the quiz galaxy to discover your astronaut alter ego!
Trailblazers of The Cosmos
Let's zoom through the star-studded history of space travel!
First off, our celestial journey begins with Yuri Gagarin, the strapping Russian Cosmonaut who said "see ya" to Earth as the first human to rocket into space aboard Vostok 1. Not long after, America's own Alan Shepard rocked up, tipping his hat as the first American in a suborbital flight with Freedom 7. Talk about a cosmic duel, right?
Then came the Gemini Program, where astronauts like Neil Armstrong (more on him later) and John Glenn, the first American to orbit our big blue marble, started writing the rulebook on space rendezvous and EVA (that's extravehicular activity, or 'spacewalking' for the lay astronaut).
Speaking of Armstrong, he became the First Man on the Moon during the iconic Apollo 11 mission, alongside Buzz Aldrin, while Michael Collins had the loneliest orbit party in the command module. Did someone say "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"?
And let's not forget about the ladies! The sky is not the limit for Valentina Tereshkova, the very first woman to grace orbit, and Sally Ride, the trailblazing American who broke into the boys' club aboard Challenger for STS-7. These women are literally out of this world!
Our pal Scott Kelly gave new meaning to 'work from home' by spending a year in low Earth orbit to help us understand what space does to the human body. And to keep things fun, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield turned the International Space Station into a music studio—because who doesn't love an astronaut who can jam in zero-g?
Oh, and we can't leave out Mae Jemison, the first woman of color in space aboard Endeavour for STS-47, and Guion Bluford, who both expanded the universe of possibilities.
So, ready to find out which one of these cosmic pioneers is your astral twin? Go on, the stars are calling!
From Pilots To Pioneers: The 'Astro-Nots' of History
Before we dive into the star-studded realm of space travelers, let's remember that these famous faces rocketed from high-flying careers to stellar achievements. They were not just astronauts; they were pioneers who turned complex science into human triumph.
Military Skies to Starry Space
Remember the days when the wildest dream was conquering the skies? Well, strap in! Soaring past their 30,000-foot day jobs, many astronauts began as test or military pilots. NASA was practically their second home during the Cold War, especially for those who zigzagged through dogfights in the Korean War. Taking the leap from Navy jets to NASA's G force-infused T-38 trainers, these veterans traded Pacific Ocean patrols for unchartered galaxies.
Educational Journeys
Now, let's talk smarts. Where does one snag the 'Astronaut 101' book? Probably at Purdue University or the University of Cincinnati, where studies in aeronautical engineering gave many astronauts the technical know-how to navigate both aerospace and politics. It wasn't all rocket science—well, actually, it kinda was—but with a side of Eagle Scout resilience.
Crowning Achievements
Get this: astronauts collect more shiny hardware than a magnet in a toolbox. We're talking the whole jewelry set—Congressional Space Medal of Honor, Congressional Gold Medal, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and NASA's own bling—the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. They're like Olympians of the void, minus the sprinting and pole-vaulting.
The Gravity of Tragedy
We've had some uh-ohs beyond our atmosphere too. Astronauts are immortalized in bravery, especially during heart-gripping moments like the Challenger and Columbia disasters. Their legacies live on through the lessons learned and the hard-hitting work of the Rogers Commission. Each name is a testament to the continual quest for safer interstellar travel.
