National Astronaut Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Astronaut Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Astronaut Day is celebrated on May 5th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Astronaut Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you should know about National Astronaut Day.

📅 What day is National Astronaut Day 2024?

In 2024, National Astronaut Day is on Friday, May 5th. It is the 1st Friday in May; in 2024, it is Sunday. There are until the next observance. You also can view all the fun details and facts about May 5, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Starting in 2016, National Astronaut Day has been celebrated on May 5th to pay tribute to Alan Shepard, the first American to journey into space. From that groundbreaking moment to the present day, we have made remarkable progress, spanning from the very first space voyage to the record-breaking achievement of the longest spaceflight by a woman.

📜 National Astronaut Day History

On May 5, 1961, Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. became the first American to venture into space. His flight lasted 15 minutes and reached an altitude of 116 miles, marking a significant achievement. In 2016, the United States Space Agency established National Astronaut Day, which is supported by Uniphi Good LLC, a company representing numerous former NASA astronauts. This special day celebrates astronauts as heroes who continue to inspire us to aim for greatness. It pays tribute to the courageous individuals who risked their lives to advance our knowledge of space exploration and the universe as a whole. The primary aim of National Astronaut Day is to share stories and experiences of astronauts, aiming to ignite young people’s interest in space and motivate them to pursue their dreams.

✅ National Astronaut Day Facts

🔖 Pee-cautionary measure
Astronauts in low gravity face difficulties in sensing when their bladders are full, hence they are advised to visit the bathroom every two hours.

🔖 First song in outer space
“Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut, made history by creating the first-ever song in space called “Jewel in the Night.”

🔖 Family on the moon
Charles Duke, who was part of the Apollo 16 mission, placed a picture of his loved ones along with a message on the back. The note mentioned his family’s identity and the specific month and year, April 1972.

👍 Why Is National Astronaut Day Important

It is an achievement unlike any other, commemorating humanity’s efforts to achieve what was once thought to be impossible.

Astronauts are unquestionably heroes. They motivate us all to “reach for the stars” and to believe that any dream can be realized with conviction.

Many young people share a passion for space and aspire to be astronauts. This day is meant to inspire them all to pursue their aspirations.

🙂 How To Observe National Astronaut Day

⚡ Share your favorite astronaut story

⚡ Watch a space documentary
There are multiple documentaries available on different OTT platforms that focus on the topic of space exploration. Some notable examples include “Apollo 11,” “Apollo: Missions to the Moon,” “Above and Beyond: NASA’s Journey to Tomorrow,” “How the Universe Works,” and “The Universe.”

⚡ Read biographies of astronauts
If you’re interested in learning about the incredible experiences of astronauts in space, I recommend delving into their memoirs. Some highly recommended ones include “Sally Ride: America’s First Woman in Space” written by Lynn Sherr, “Apollo 13” authored by Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger, “Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut’s Journeys” by Michael Collins, and “Magnificent Desolation” by Buzz Aldrin. These memoirs offer captivating insights into the world of space exploration.

📅 When is National Astronaut Day?

See all 🔗 May holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Appreciation holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and cool facts about National Astronaut Day. So be sure to check back soon.