For those holding a B.S. Degree from an accredited university, the PoSSUM Scientist Astronaut Qualification Program is held either at Florida Tech or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. It is a five-day, fully immersive training program that will provide the skills required to effectively conduct research on the next generation of commercial space vehicles as part of Project PoSSUM. Designed and instructed by former NASA astronaut instructors and PoSSUM team scientists, the PoSSUM Scientist Astronaut Qualification Program combines three weeks of webinar instruction followed by one-week of intensive training including high-G training, crew resource management training, spacesuit training, high-altitude training, biometric analysis, and PoSSUMCam operations. You will also receive comprehensive instruction on noctilucent cloud science, observational history, research methods from some of the world’s leading noctilucent cloud scientists, then learn to use real PoSSUM Instruments on customized simulations of actual PoSSUM research flights, using the most modern training facilities available. Upon graduation, you will be fully trained and qualified to participate in PoSSUM graduate specializations, become a PoSSUM educator, or to fly to space as a PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut!
The PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Qualification Program maintains the standards established for flight crew as part of FAR § 460.5(b) for the PoSSUM researcher. Specifically, the researcher will “demonstrate an ability to withstand the stresses of space flight, which may include high acceleration or deceleration, microgravity, and vibration, in sufficient condition to safely carry out his or her duties.”
For noctilucent cloud tomography missions, the PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut duties include effective operation of the PoSSUMCam system, real-time identification of noctilucent cloud micro-features of greatest scientific interest, real-time optimization of camera settings at cloud altitudes, proper use of crew resource management techniques to assure proper vehicle attitude at all times during the mission, and the effective activation of MCAT and MASS instruments at cloud altitudes. Duties for other PoSSUM research missions are determined as missions are conceived.
Objectives: To understand principles of the PoSSUM Program and gain a general understanding of the mesosphere, noctilucent cloud dynamics, observational methods and history, noctilucent cloud structures, aerospace physiology, and life support systems relevant to suborbital flight.
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Topics: Overview of the PoSSUM program (1 hr) , Science of the Mesosphere (1 hr), Fundamentals of Remote Sensing (1 hr), Basic Noctilucent Cloud Science (1 hr), PoSSUM Instrumentation Operations (1 hr), Imaging Noctilucent Clouds from Suborbital Spacecraft (1 hr), Imaging Noctilucent Clouds from the International Space Station (1 hr), Aerospace Physiology (1 hr), and Life Support Systems (1 hr)
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Evening Seminar: PoSSUM Suborbital Simulator Operations
Instructors: Dr. Jason Reimuller, Dr. Erik Seedhouse, Dr. Dave Fritts
Objectives:
1) Overview of PoSSUM instrumentation and operational concepts, and operations of the PoSSUMCam system.
2) To recognize off-nominal environments and your own physiological responses to contingency environments in a spacesuit.
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Training Elements:
1) Comprehensive training geared towards the effective use of the PoSSUMCam system and other PoSSUM instrumentation in a classroom environment.
2) Hypoxia awareness training at altitudes equivalent to 25,000 feet in a high-altitude chamber at our Melbourne, Florida. Flight Operations Facility, capable of simulating space missions in hypoxic or hyperoxic environments.
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Instructors: Dr. Paul Buza, Van Wampler, Parker Rice
Objectives:
1) To don, doff, pressurize, and operate effectively in spacesuits while in confined environments that simulate actual missions.
2) To perform effective Crew Resource Management (CRM) techniques and procedural training in simulators designed specifically for Project PoSSUM and administered at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
3) To introduce Spacesuit Contingency Operations, including decompression, smoke and hazardous environments, post-landing scenarios, egress and sea survival systems, capsule egress fundamentals, and aircraft ejection systems
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Training Elements:
1) Comprehensive training in mission-qualified spacesuits where you will learn to don and doff a spacesuit, pressurize a spacesuit, perform safety checks, and conduct basic operations using a spacesuit.
2) Crew Resource Management training in PoSSUM mission simulation simulating actual noctilucent cloud research missions. Trainees will learn how to operate PoSSUM instrumentation in a real-time analog environment.
3) Contingency operations training including principles of decompression, smoke and hazardous environments, post-landing scenarios, egress and sea survival systems, capsule egress fundamentals, and aircraft ejection systems.
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Evening Seminar: Spaceflight Physiology, Dr. Perry Bechtle
Instructors: Chris Lundeen, Van Wampler, Parker Rice
Objectives:
1) To perform optimally in a high-G environment, mitigating G-induced blackouts through the use of anti-G equipment and AGSM breathing techniques in an Extra 300L Aerobatic aircraft.
2) To effectively operate camera systems and employ proper Crew Resource Management techniques in an airborne imagery training flight using a Piper Cherokee 6 aircraft.
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Training Elements:
1) High-G and microgravity Space Physiology flight with use of mechanical countermeasures and breathing techniques to mitigate high-G ascent and re-entry environments using an Extra 300L aircraft. Indoctrination to high-G and changing-G environments analogous to suborbital spaceflight. Exposure to Gx, Gy, and Gz accelerations.
2) Execution of above maneuvers with student flying the aircraft using an Extra 300 aerobatic aircraft..
3) Anti-G Garment training and introduction to Anti-G Breathing Maneuver (AGSM) training.
4) Use of servo-controlled camera systems on aircraft using a Piper Cherokee 6 aircraft.
5) Use of proper Crew Resource Management (CRM) techniques in-flight.
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Evening Film: ‘Spacewalk’ (2017)
Objectives:
1) Introduction to Virtual and Augmented reality for space missions
2) To introduce specialized topics pertaining to aeronomy and astronautics and to review and evaluate academic instruction administered through the previous four days.
3) To complete all objectives which could not be completed in the previous days due to inclement weather or other contingencies.
4) Final Evaluation
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Evening Seminar: Film: Sprites, Graduation
Instructors: Dr. Jason Reimuller
Applications for Spring 2023 PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Courses now being accepted.
PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Class 2301: SCHEDULED FOR 23-27 March 2023.
PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Class 2302: SCHEDULED FOR 30 Match – 3 April, 2023.
Apply by 31 December 2022 for PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Class 2301. Rate includes all instruction, texts, and graduation.
Custom Nomex Flight suits additional $250.
Photo Credits: Ross Lockwood (Day 1 and 2), CinemaRaven (Day 3, 4 and 5)