KSC-2009-5270

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, volunteers portraying astronauts are helped with the launch-and-entry suits. The volunteers are taking part in a Mode II-IV exercise that allows teams to practice an emergency response at Launch Pad 39A, including helicopter evacuation to local hospitals. The exercise involves NASA fire rescue personnel, volunteers portraying astronauts with simulated injuries, helicopters and personnel from the Air Force’s 920th Rescue Wing and medical trauma teams at three central Florida hospitals. The Space Shuttle Program and U.S. Air Force are conducting the emergency simulation. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder