The difference between astronaut and cosmonaut

The difference in the origin of the word

Generally speaking, the following explanation applies to the difference between astronaut and cosmonaut: There is none. That is not completly correct.

• Basically, both names refer to people who have already flown into space. In the German language these people are called spacemen or space travelers.
• Popular saying goes that astronaut and cosmonaut are identical. This is wrong. They are to be equated, but not identical.
• The word "astro" comes from the Greek and means planet. The second part of the word, "Naut", is also of Greek origin and means "sailor / sailor / seaman". The term cosmos is the Greek word for space. The astronaut flies to planets, while the cosmonaut flies into space - or "drives".

Who is an astronaut and who is a cosmonaut?

In the 1950s, a race began between the superpowers of what was then the USSR (Soviet Union) and the USA. It was initially about making manned space travel possible and bringing the pilots safely back to earth. The aim of the competition was to be the first nation to reach the moon - and let people get off there. In addition, the men also had to land safely back on earth.

• The so-called astronauts in the USA had one long-term goal in space - the moon. Astronauts were recruited from the top test pilots of the United States Air Force and (after various experiments with chimpanzees) initially only flew test flights around the earth.
• However, the Americans did not invent the term "astronaut". A Belgian-French writer did that. In 1927 the novel "Les Astronautes", written by J. H. Rosny Aîné. The author is considered to be the inventor of the science fiction genre in literature.
• At the same time, the Soviet Union was researching and launching test flights into space. Since the flight to the moon was too expensive a project for the Russians, they wanted to keep up. The cosmonauts only completed manned space flights. It was important to prove technical know-how and bring the men back to earth healthy.

Space travelers - is the distinction necessary?

The difference between astronaut and cosmonaut is still a regional difference to this day. But it is not a question of a conflict between Russians and Americans. Many countries have their own names for space travelers.

• The former Eastern Bloc countries continue to use the term cosmonaut (as of 2014) - also for astronauts.
• In the western world, the term astronaut is used as a job title. Spacemen from the former Eastern Bloc countries are, however, called cosmonauts.
• The Chinese launched their first manned space flight in 1993. The pilots were called taikonauts by the western world. Literally translated that would be a sky traveler. The Chinese themselves did not use this term.
• The Indians call the profession vyomanaut. In Malaysia one speaks of Ankasawan.

As you can see, an astronaut is not always an astronaut - but a space traveler anywhere in the world.