Famous astronauts | POWERUP for kids

Kids love astronauts. Kids love space. Kids love rockets. And it's no wonder, sit back for a moment and consider the incredible power and beauty of rockets - or think about the sheer unlikelihood of a human being flying out of the Earth’s atmosphere and into space - it’s breathtaking and, indeed, something we adults sometimes take for-granted.

Interest in rockets (or in planes or flying in general) is something many parents and educators love to see - among other reasons, because aeronautics is a field supported by STEM topics - that’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. What parent or teacher wouldn’t want to help their child or student dive deeply into the world of space, NASA, astronauts, and more. But where to start? One option is with the rockets, themselves. For some of the coolest rockets see here:

Cool spaceships | POWERUP for kids

Or coolest planes here: History's coolest planes | POWERUP for kids

Another option, and the reason you’re here, is to fan the flame of your child’s or student’s imagination through the world of astronauts. There have been many cool astronauts in the profession’s short history. Here are a few to get you started.

Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong is a world-renowned astronaut who has walked on the moon. He was born in Ohio on August 5th, 1930 to parents Purdue graduates; after serving at National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics High Speed Flight Station he became an American Christian Scientist Tennessee Williams fan - something you'll never guess! But most importantly though? When it came down whether or not Neil should become part of history by becoming first man stepping into space back then...Well, let's just say there were some people out here looking very closely indeed because they knew exactly what could happen if someone did their job right: "One Small Step" would turn

Chris Hadfield

Chris Hadfield is a Canadian retired Air Force Colonel and astronaut who has worked on various technical issues for Shuttle Operations Development, contributed to the development of glass cockpit technology in NASA's space shuttles while also serving as Director at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. He went onto train under Article 107 agreements during 2001-2003 where he learned how Moscow provides curriculum support regarding robotics training courses necessary before being assignable aboard American spacecraft like Soyuz TMA/MIR 1999 flights or International Space Station expeditions etc., which was exciting because these exchanges provide great opportunities not only scientifically but socially too!

Sally Ride

Sally Ride became one of America's first women in space by flying aboard the STS-7 mission. She went on this historic flight on June 18th, 1983 where she deployed two communications satellites while there were five other people also floating around!

Alan B. Shepard Jr.

Alan Shepard was an American astronaut, one of the Mercury Seven. He flew into space on May 5th 1961 - known as Freedom 7- and became one two men to go into orbit around Earth before being beaten by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin less than six months later in October 1962! After leaving NASA Alan served successfully both socially & economically through entrepreneurship which allowed him make investments during times when most weren't accepting them because they felt their money would be safer inside government bonds or stocks

Yuri Gagarin

Yuri Gagarin became the first human being in space on April 12, 1961. This event changed history and made him an international celebrity unwilling to go back down again despite his fame at home with stamps statues commemorate boarding of Vostok 1 capsule after orbit around Earth (and then renaming old ancestral village). The next day is also known as "Cosmonaut's Day" within Russia - it celebrates people who achieved success while working towards goals set forth by nation states they belong too or even just living there

Scott Kelly 

Scott Kelly is an American astronaut who has spent nearly a year in space and 520 days there. He's one of only three people to do so, which makes him eligible for membership on America’s prestigious millionaires' club known as "The Forbes 400."

He also had the opportunity to better understand what happens when humans adapt over time while they're gone—in this case On Earth orbit around our planet.

Famous astronauts | Conclusion

Conclusion paragraph: With so many amazing astronauts throughout history,  we’ve only scratched the surface. If you know something cool about one of these intrepid explorers, please share it in the comments below. We’d love to hear your thoughts on space travel and what inspires you about these legendary figures.

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* Note if your kid or student is interested in learning about some of history's coolest aviators and coolest planes check out these kid-friendly resources:

History's Coolest Aviators | POWERUP for kids

Fun answers to your kid's flying questions | POWERUP for kids