The National aeronautics and space administration gave the astronauts a course correction. How did the word "astronauts" function in this sentence?

Direct object

Indirect object

Object of a preposition

Predicate

The word astronauts in the sentence is functioning as the direct object. Direct objects are often a noun phrase that refers to a person or thing that receives the action of the verb. In order to spot a direct object within a sentence, remember to ask yourself "who" or "what" is receiving the action. The answer in this case would be: "the austronauts".