HOME	Jobs in space

Not everyone who goes up to the space station does EVAs, and goes outside into space to work. You need to be specially trained as an astronaut to do this.

Many of the people working in space these days are scientists, and they carry out a huge range of experiments. These chicks were hatched out from eggs up in a weightless environment, and they seem pretty happy now they are back on earth! Other scientists make materials up in space because the environment is more suitable than on earth.

Mission specialists are always American. They are in charge, and have to be very highly trained.

Payload specialists are in charge of the equipment and material that goes up to the space station. Sometimes these people are chosen by the industry that is paying for the material, and the people have to train for up to two years before their mission.