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Microgravity: living on the International Space Station
Microgravity: living on the International Space Station

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2 Astronauts: do you have what it takes?

You might also want to watch the six episodes of ‘Astronauts: do you have what it takes?’. There is more information on the BBC website [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] . Read the synopsis of the TV programme available on the link above and then complete Activity 1.

A snapshot of the BBC’s series of ‘Astronauts; do you have what it takes?’
Figure 2 Do you have what it takes?

Activity 1 What do you need to do for Astronaut selection?

Timing: Allow approximately 15 minutes

Based on the information given in the ‘Astronauts: do you have what it takes?’ synopsis, answer the following questions.

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Now take this online test, courtesy of the BBC’s iWonder (Figure 3), to see whether you have what it takes to be an astronaut.

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Figure 3 Do you have what it takes to be an astronaut?

How did you get on? Are you astronaut material? Beyond working as an astronaut on the Space Shuttle, there are lots of other opportunities to work with the ISS with a view to landing on Mars.

You will now look at the future of space research.