56. How do you fly the spaceship? Is it hard to learn? (A K2S Question)

From The Space Library

Most pilot astronauts start by learning to fly airplanes and are usually ex-military flyers trained to fly fighter aircraft. After years of practice the best airplane pilots are recruited to the astronaut corps. Then they learn to fly spacecraft using computerized training simulators. Rotational control of the spacecraft is usually done with the right hand, as in fighter aircraft. Translational control is usually done with the left hand, which is usually used to control the throttle in fighter aircraft. Rudder pedals are used on the orbiter when it enters the atmosphere. All this is hard to learn, but some people have a natural aptitude for it, and others can learn with a lot of practice.

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Answer provided by Jon H. Brown

Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer

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