The original astronauts were test pilots
Tim Peake graduated from the [url= http://www.etps.qinetiq.com ]Empire Test Pilots’ School[/url] with an award for "Best Rotary Wing Pilot".
Not sure if he has his own helmet though.
Some good background here:
From reading Chris Hadfield's book, apparently floating in space is the most comfortable bed you'll ever sleep in. They have a sleeping bag to stay warm and velcro straps to stop them drifting off. They also busy pretty much the whole day, every minute is accounted for. So once your body has adapted to microgravity and you stop feeling nauseous it's quite easy to fall asleep.
The selection process is also very rigorous and people have to made of the right stuff mentally and physically. Pure skill and ability is not enough to get you to selected. You need to be a special kind of person who is not too introverted and can work in a team but at the same time you cannot be too extroverted and go off piste. Think nice non offensive pastel colours rather than Enduro Fluro day glow.
If Michael Bay is to be believed* they will have a vast selection of automatic weapons should anyone go a little nuts.
As the ISS exercise bike has to be mounted in a way that it doesn’t impart a load that could damage the structure of the station I think that introducing 9mm ammunition to the mix would be on a scale of awfulness on a par with running out of loo roll or accidently opening the window.
*unlikely
a scale of awfulness on a par with ...... accidently opening the window.
I bet they've put those safety latches on so that if anyone does open one they still won't be able to fall out.
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SAFETOTS.CO.UK Not sure I'd be able to cope with 6 months and only an exercise bike.
Sign me up for MTB on Mars though 😀
Tim Peake graduated from the Empire Test Pilots’ School with an award for "Best Rotary Wing Pilot".
I actually thought this was one of the most depressing things about the whole story. It seems that they are still picking people based on 1950's ideas. The whole Space Shuttle selection process was much more varied than that with civilian scientists etc.
Its not 100% pilots that go up other civilians do get an occasional go. I don't know for sure but it might be because the space shuttle could handle 6 people whereas the Soyuz can only hold 3 people and I think normally 2 are needed to fly it, so there less space for people who don't have the skills or experience to fly the craft.
It already takes many years and lots of money to train an astronaut so it could end up significantly increasing costs and time to train civilian scientists so they could get the required skills and experience to fly the Soyuz. Better to pick people who already have those skills.
Just watching this BBC video of the launch on YouTube and, surprise surprise, about 10% of the comments are from Flat Earthers denying it is actually happening.
Nothing better demonstrates the need for more investment in STEM subjects.
😉Just watching this BBC video of the launch on YouTube and, surprise surprise, about 10% of the comments are from Flat Earthers denying it is actually happening
Nothing better demonstrates the need for [s]more investment in STEM subjects[/s] selective culling at birth.
I really couldn't be looking at the comments, it would probably cause me to have an aneurysm!
This is kicking off on Facebook right now:
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Which head torch for a spacewalk before the sun comes up?
[url=www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/science-environment-35303186]Link to live BBC stream, may not work[/url]
Replacing a faulty box outside the spacecraft? Hmm. "Open the door Hal".
BBC.CO.UK 
