Space People & Human Exploration
Discover the extraordinary individuals who have ventured beyond Earth's atmosphere. From the first human in space to current astronauts, explore the personal stories, missions, and achievements that define human space exploration.
Explore Space Professionals
Search and filter through astronauts, cosmonauts, and space professionals who have ventured into space.
Human Space Exploration
Space People Overview
The individuals who have made humanity's journey into space possible
Space People Database
Browse through our comprehensive database of astronauts, cosmonauts, and space professionals
Yuri Gagarin
SU
Yuri Gagarin was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut who became the first human to journey into outer space, achieving a major milestone in the Space Race.
Alan Shepard
US
Alan Shepard was an American astronaut, naval aviator, test pilot, and businessman. In 1961, he became the first American to travel into space.
Valentina Tereshkova
SU
Valentina Tereshkova is a Russian engineer, member of the State Duma, and former Soviet cosmonaut. She was the first woman to fly in space.
Neil Armstrong
US
Neil Armstrong was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer who was the first person to walk on the Moon.
Buzz Aldrin
US
Buzz Aldrin is an American former astronaut, engineer and fighter pilot. He made three spacewalks as pilot of the 1966 Gemini 12 mission.
Sally Ride
US
Sally Ride was an American astronaut and physicist. She became the first American woman in space in 1983.
John Glenn
US
John Glenn was an American Marine Corps aviator, engineer, astronaut, and United States Senator from Ohio.
Mae Jemison
US
Mae Jemison is an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut. She became the first African American woman to travel in space.
Chris Hadfield
CA
Chris Hadfield is a Canadian retired astronaut, engineer, fighter pilot, and musician. He was the first Canadian to walk in space.
Samantha Cristoforetti
IT
Samantha Cristoforetti is an Italian European Space Agency astronaut, former Italian Air Force pilot and engineer.
Elon Musk
US, ZA
Elon Musk is a business magnate and investor. He is the founder, CEO, and chief engineer of SpaceX.
Jeff Bezos
US
Jeff Bezos is an American entrepreneur, media proprietor, investor, computer engineer, and commercial astronaut.
Yang Liwei
CN
Yang Liwei is a Chinese pilot and astronaut. He was the first Chinese citizen in space.
Wang Yaping
CN
Wang Yaping is a Chinese pilot and astronaut. She was the second Chinese woman in space.
Alexei Leonov
SU, RU
Alexei Leonov was a Soviet and Russian cosmonaut, Air Force major general, writer, and artist.
Valentina Vladimirovna
RU
Valentina Vladimirovna is a Russian cosmonaut and engineer.
Peggy Whitson
US
Peggy Whitson is an American biochemistry researcher, NASA astronaut, and former NASA Chief Astronaut.
Gennady Padalka
RU
Gennady Padalka is a Russian Air Force officer and cosmonaut. He holds the world record for most time spent in space.