I thought that the distinction existed only between Americans (astronauts) and Russians (cosmonauts), but no, Chinese also have their own term. I guess Indians should come up with their own, as well =)

      • ivanafterall@kbin.social
        11·
        1 year ago

        I thought the same, initially, but the explanation is kind of cool:

        The tongue-twisting term comes from the Sanskrit for sky or space (vyoma, pronounced veeohma). The closest Sanskrit word to astronaut would have been vyomagami, for something that passes in the sky. The other word for an Indian spacefarer that had been bandied about was gaganaut (gagan is also Sanskrit for sky).

        Also “Gaganaut” definitely isn’t better. Sounds like what members of the Lady Gaga Fan Club would call themselves. Or a baby in space.