Final Project

Rebecca B.

Legislator:  Jim Dunnam, Representative

Training to become an astronaut is hard work. This statement never really meant as much to me as it does now. I have read all about how hard it is to train and even qualify to train to become an astronaut. There is more than one type of job that astronauts can train for at NASA. They have about three different types of jobs. They also have different training, although some of it is quite similar.

Applications are taken constantly from both civilian and military peoples.  NASA has several applicants year round and accepts new comers about every two years. It takes several months for the application to be processed.  The preparation is highly specialized and requires the efforts of hundreds of people eligible to train and teach. Some of the requirements consist of having at least one thousand hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft.  It is also the ability to pass a NASA Class I space physical, which is similar to a military or civilian Class I flight physical, and includes the following specific standards: for vision-distance visual acuity- 20/70 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, each eye. For Blood Pressure-140/90 measured in a sitting position. One other necessity is that the height of each applicant must be between 64 and 76 inches. There are no age restrictions for NASA but the average selection ranges is 35.

All of the training is conducted under JSC's Mission Operations Directorate. The basics start with a little safety 101. The starting classes consist of aircraft safety, including instruction in ejection, parachute and survival to prepare them in the event that their aircraft is disabled and they have to eject or make an emergency landing. Pilot and mission specialist astronauts are trained to fly a T-38 high-performance jet aircraft, which are based at Ellington Field near JSC. The astronauts also go through courses of study such as basic science and technical, including mathematics (which are incredibly useful at NASA for any of the jobs that you chose). They also take Earth resources, meteorology, guidance and navigation, astronomy, physics and computer sciences. Essential knowledge obtained through lectures, briefings, textbooks, and flight operations manuals contain such information as shuttle system, including payloads.

There are also many mockups of the orbiter and other full-scale parts of the equipment. The astronauts must learn housekeeping, how to eat, how to use the bathroom, how to sleep, and how to groom themselves. Because of the fact that weightlessness cannot occur on Earth (except in very short flights of very fast speeds in a KC-135) they must use the only source of weightlessness that can be found: water. Even though short tasks can be practiced in the KC-135 four-engine jet, other longer tasks are practiced in the JSC water tanks.

Even after all of this there is much to be learned. One thing that may fill in the learning gaps between the textbook lessons and more complex trainers and simulators, are The Crew Software Trainer. This is used to demonstrate orbiter software capabilities before students go on to the SST's. For landing practice trainees can use the Grumman Gulfstream II, also known as the Shuttle Training Aircraft.

After the one-year basic training, comes the advanced training. Advanced Training includes sixteen different course curricula covering all Shuttle-related crew-training requirements. They range from guidance, navigation and control systems to payload and deployment and retrieval systems. This advanced training encompasses two specific types of instruction. These are system-related and phase-related training. They are aimed at a self-paced, interactive programmed instruction for both initial and refresher systems training. Phase training concentrates on the specific skills an astronaut needs to perform successfully in space. Phase training continues even after a crew is assigned a specific mission, normally about seven months to one year before the scheduled launch date.

From the point that the crew is assigned, training becomes more structured and is directed by a training management team. This specific training is usually referred to as ¡§stand-alone training and flight-specific integrated and joint integrated training. It involves carefully developed scripts and scenarios for the mission. The training is intensified and designed to permit the crew to operate as a closely integrated team. At about ten weeks before a scheduled launch, the crew begins what are called flight-specific integrated simulations, designed to provide a dynamic testing ground for mission rules and flight procedures. They work as if on a real mission.  They all have designated stations that they use to interact with the simulations.

As I mentioned before there are three types of mission specialist that are trained specifically. They are: Pilot Astronauts, Mission Specialist Astronauts, and Payload Specialists. They all have different duties but, as I mentioned before, are trained similar to one another.

The Pilot Astronauts play a key role in Shuttle flights, serving as either commanders or pilots. They are responsible for controlling and operating the Shuttle. They might assist in spacecraft deployment and retrieval operations using the RMS arm or other payload- unique equipment on board the Shuttle during flights.

The Mission Specialist Astronauts work closely with the commander and pilot. They are responsible for coordinating on board operations involving crew activity planning, use and monitoring of the Shuttle's consumables (fuel, water, food, ect.), and conducting experiment and payload activities.

They are required to have a detailed knowledge of Shuttle systems and the operational characteristics, mission requirements and objectives and supporting systems for each of the experiments to be conducted on the assigned missions.

Payload Specialist is a fairly new category to the crew. A payload specialist is a professional in the physical or life sciences or technician skilled in operating Shuttle-unique equipment. The payload sponsor or customer makes the selection of this job. Being that this is a fairly new member, the program has been under review by NASA and a decision is pending on whether to continue with this special crewmember category.

On my poster I have compared the differences in training of the three main jobs of an astronaut. Some people, who want to become an astronaut, are confused about which one exactly that they want to go into. My poster may help someone who is puzzled over which one to chose.

Last Updated: 09/07/01