astronaut, n.Trivia

Fruit flies were the first living creatures to be sent into space.

Astronauts often see random flashes of light in space, even through closed eyes - this is caused by cosmic rays passing through their eyes or optical nerves.

Only three humans have ever died outside of the Earth's atmosphere. They were all on the Soyuz 11 the only manned mission to board the world's first space station which ended in disaster when the crew capsule depressurized.

The potato is the first vegetable to be grown in space

Spacesuits are white both becuase it keeps them cooler by reflecting light and because it makes them easier to see against the black background of space.

Astronauts can grow up to 3 percent taller in space.

Russian astronauts were, until 2007, issued a sawed off shotgun and machete to fight of Siberian bears upon landing back on Earth. Now, it's a pistol

U.S. astronauts are required to learn Russian as part of their extensive training so they can read Russian language training manuals at the ISS, if necessary.

Texas is the only state that permits residents to cast absentee ballots from space

Apollo astronauts could not get life insurance, so they signed hundreds of envelopes as memorabilia in the event of their death.

Astronauts are exposed to the same amount of radiation as 150 to 6,000 chest x-rays.

A cat went to space in 1963

Astronauts cannot cry in space because tears can't flow in zero gravity

An astronaut can grow taller in space. The spine expands without gravity.

Star Trek fans successfully campaigned to name the first Space Shuttle 'Enterprise'.

Astronauts can be up to 2 inches taller returning from space

Astronauts are taller when in space

Astronauts may not be taller than 6 foot 2

Russian cosmonauts used to pack a shotgun in case they landed in Siberia and had to fend off bears.

Burping is not possible in space