The oldest person to travel into space is Wally Funk, who was 82 years old when she flew aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket on July 20, 2021. The oldest person to fly in Earth orbit remains John Glenn, who was 77 years old during his mission on Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-95) on October 29, 1998.

What is the maximum age for an astronaut?

There are no age restrictions for the program. Astronaut candidates selected in the past have ranged between the ages of 26 and 46, with the average age being 34.

Is Buzz Aldrin the oldest astronaut?

Following Jim Lovell's death in 2025, Aldrin became the oldest living astronaut. Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. Glen Ridge, New Jersey, U.S. Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Aldrin graduated third in the class of 1951 from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Who was the astronaut that floated away in space?

Floating free against the velvety blackness of space was Bruce McCandless II. For the first time ever, a human being was able to perform a spacewalk while completely untethered thanks to the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), a jetpack-like device McCandless helped develop for over a decade.

Who was lost in space for 311 days?

Sergei Krikalev, a Soviet cosmonaut, was stranded in space for 311 days aboard the Mir space station from 1991 to 1992 due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, which caused funding issues and logistical problems for his return, making him known as "the last Soviet citizen". His planned five-month mission was extended indefinitely, and he returned to a completely changed world, landing in a Russia that was part of the newly formed Russian Federation.
 

Apollo Astronaut Charles Duke FINALLY Reveals What He Really Saw on The Moon—And It's Shocking

Why did Neil and Janet get divorced?

Six years later, their marriage was rocked by the death of their young daughter, Karen – which happened on their wedding anniversary. From there, Neil and Janet suffered further blows, like missions gone nearly awry and the deaths of multiple friends in the space program.

Do astronauts get paid $5 a day?

No, astronauts don't get only $5 a day; they receive their standard federal salaries (around $100k-$155k/year) plus a $5 daily incidental travel allowance, which covers small expenses like tips, because NASA treats them as federal employees on official travel, meaning no overtime but basic per diem instead. This $5 daily rate, meant for things like hotel tips, added about $1,400 for an extended nine-month mission, sparking debate about fair compensation for their extraordinary service, though astronauts often see it as a mission of passion, not money.
 

Can astronauts drink alcohol in space?

Alcohol is generally disallowed in spaceflight, but space agencies have previously allowed its consumption. NASA has been stricter about alcohol consumption than the Roscosmos, both according to regulations and in practice. Astronauts and cosmonauts are restricted from being intoxicated at launch.

Why did NASA wait 50 years to go back to the moon?

Apollo 17 became the last crewed mission to the Moon for an indefinite amount of time. The main reason for this was money. The cost of getting to the Moon was, ironically, astronomical.

What can disqualify you from being an astronaut?

The applicant must be free from any disease. The applicant must be free from any dependency on drugs, alcohol or tobacco. The applicant must have the normal range of motion and functionality in all joints. This requirement does not apply to the applicants to the astronaut with physical disabilities vacancy.

At what age did William Shatner go to space?

In 2021, Shatner flew into space aboard Blue Origin NS-18, a Blue Origin sub-orbital mission. At age 90 he became the oldest person to fly in space and one of the first 600 to do so. In 2024 Ed Dwight, also age 90, but 48 days older than Shatner, flew on the suborbital Blue Origin NS-25 spaceflight.

What caused Sally Ride's death?

Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, died on July 23, 2012, at age 61, from pancreatic cancer after a 17-month battle with the disease, passing away peacefully at her home in La Jolla, California, surrounded by family and friends.
 

What is the average lifespan of an astronaut?

The reported primary causes of astronaut deaths include cancer, other diseases, or natural causes (no further details provided in public records except “natural causes” [median age at death: 86.2]).

What happened to Neil Armstrong's baby daughter?

In mid-1956, Neil and Janet lost a child when Janet spontaneously miscarried. (Neil and Janet later divorced.) Neil's daughter, Karen, died of pneumonia when she was 2 years old after six months of treatment for an inoperable brain tumor.

How much money did Lance Armstrong have to pay back?

Lance Armstrong had to pay back tens of millions of dollars, primarily settling a U.S. False Claims Act case for $5 million and paying around $10 million to SCA Promotions for bonus money, with total repayments potentially exceeding $100 million when factoring in other settlements and potential liabilities for sponsorship fraud. The biggest single payout was a $10 million judgment to SCA Promotions, but he settled the federal case for significantly less, avoiding a potential $100 million penalty.

How many of the 12 men that walked on the Moon are still alive?

Four of America's moonwalkers are still alive: Aldrin (Apollo 11), David Scott (Apollo 15), Charles Duke (Apollo 16), and Harrison Schmitt (Apollo 17).

What is the 3 bra rule?

The "3 bra rule" is a guideline suggesting you own at least three everyday bras for a simple rotation: one to wear, one to wash, and one to rest (in the drawer), allowing elastic to recover and prolonging the bra's lifespan and support. This system ensures you always have a clean, dry, and ready-to-wear option while letting the elastic bands stretch and rebuild between uses. 

Do periods still happen in space?

Menstruation in Microgravity

Are they any different from earth periods? No. Surprised? The female reproductive system is largely immune to the lack of gravity, the blood doesn't flow back resulting in 'retrograde menstruation' and causing damage, and you still get menstrual cramps.

Do astronauts wear condoms?

Throughout the era of the Apollo missions, astronauts wore urine and fecal containment systems beneath spandex trunks. The urine collection device involved a condom-like sheath that was attached to a tube connected to a pouch.

How much did Neil Armstrong get paid to go to the moon?

The astronauts' salaries

Armstrong, his fellow moonwalker Buzz Aldrin and their teammate Michael Collins all risked their lives to fly to the moon in 1969, but was the pay worth it? Armstrong, the commander of the mission, was paid the highest salary: $30,054 per year, according to a 1969 NASA news release.

Can astronauts have cell phones in space?

Astronauts can take cell phones to space, but they don't work like they do on the ground. We don't get cell service, but we can check our emails, conduct video calls, take photos, and listen to music.

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