Profession astronaut

Astronauts are crew members commanding spacecrafts for operations beyond low Earth orbit or higher than the regular altitude reached by commercial flights. They orbit the Earth in order to perform operations such as scientific research and experiments, launching or release of satellites, and building of space stations.

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional
• Realistic / Conventional
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Physics

  The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.

• Global navigation satellite system performance parameters

  Know the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) performance parameters, and the requirements that an GNSS system should possess in specific conditions.

• Geostationary satellites

  Know about geostationary satellites and how they function; moving in the same direction as rotation of the Earth. Understand how they are used for telecommunication and commercial purposes.

• Launching of satellites into orbit

  Know about the different procedures, phases, and requirements for launching satellites into orbit.

• Geographic information systems

  The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).

• Types of satellites

  Understand the variety of satellites that exist and their different functions. Know the different types of satellites used for communications, streaming services, surveillance, and scientific research.

Skills

• Operate 3D computer graphics software

  Use graphical ICT tools, such as Autodesk Maya, Blender which enable digital editing, modelling, rendering and composition of graphics. These tools are based in mathematical representation of three-dimensional objects.

• Operate GPS systems

  Use GPS Systems.

• Perform scientific experiments in space

  Perform different kinds of experiments in various fields of science including human, biological, and physical. Follow scientific methods and document findings, aiming to achieve innovation or discover industrial and commercial applications.

• Conduct research on climate processes

  Conduct research on the characteristic events occurring in the atmosphere during the interactions and transformations of various atmospheric components and conditions.

• Perform gravity measurements

  Perform geophysical measurements using gravity meters which are either on the ground or airborne. Measure deviations from the normal gravity field, or anomalies, to determine the structure and composition of the earth.

• Collect data using GPS

  Gather data in the field using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices.

• Use communication equipment

  Set up, test and operate different types of communication equipment such as transmission equipment, digital network equipment, or telecommunications equipment.

• Use different communication channels

  Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.

• Possess visual literacy

  Interpret charts, maps, graphics, and other pictorial presentations used in place of the written word. The graphics used vary from process to process; therefore, the professional must have sufficient knowledge of the field in order to follow and use the information presented.

• Interpret graphical communication interfaces

  Have the capacity to understand the various shapes and representations used in the schematics and 3D isometric model presented by communication programmes.

• Collect geological data

  Participate in the collection of geological data such as core logging, geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveying, digital data capture, etc.

• Gather experimental data

  Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB