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Can you get injured as an astronaut in space?
Greetings! I'm Ms. Tipton at the International Community School. My 3rd graders have a few questions and I'd like to share your advice with them. Thanks in advance!
#astronaut #space
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Michael’s Answer
Yes, the possibility exist that you could be injured by flying in space. The astronaut has to be aware of many things when flying in space. For example, is the electronic equipment performing properly and accurately recording the needed data? Are the ventilation system working properly, is the necessary mixture of oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen just to name a few getting to the astronauts? Flying a space ship, while exciting, can be a very dangerous assignment. Sometimes astronauts have to drive a vehicle on the Moon or walk in Space; they have to be aware of the effects that gravity (or there being no gravity) can have. Even in preparing to fly in Space, an astronaut must continuously prepare and pay close attention to what is required.
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John’s Answer
In short, yes, but it occurs only on rare occasions. Three of my college classmates became astronauts and flew on Space Shuttle missions. One of them, Bob Curbeam, walked in pace several times. The work that astronauts do that might cause an injury is done by a specific procedure, and it is practices and rehearsed many, many times.