This month at the Fairchild Air Force Base, NASA astronauts were
given the opportunity to train with U.S. Air Force Survival School
instructors and students in preparation for emergency water situations.
During the training, four astronauts trained in water
survival and water recovery in anticipation for the Boeing CST-100 Starliner
and the SpaceX Dragon test flights, the U.S. Department of Defense reported. They were
put through simulations where a crash occurred
in the water.
“They learned to
deploy and secure a life raft, rescue endangered crew members, avoid hostile
forces and experience being hoisted into a rescue vehicle,” a Defense Department news release said. This also included
being in the elements of a storm, which could include high speeds of wind,
large waves and a heavy amount of rain.
“It’s a different space program now," astronaut Sunita Williams said during the training. "We’re flying
in capsules instead of shuttles, and they can land anywhere. You never know
when an emergency situation may happen, so we’re grateful to get this training.”
As noted, the astronauts completed their training with students of the course.
“They
didn’t want to train on their own,"
Air Force Lt. Col. ChasTacheny, the chief of NASA human space flight in Houston, said. "They wanted to train with the group, because
some of these people may one day be performing search and rescue for them.”
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