KSC-99pp0300

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- During a simulated rescue mission in the woods near the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), the KSC response team practices carrying an injured crew member to an Air Force HH-60 helicopter for transport to a local hospital. The response team is training for the unlikely scenario of a Shuttle mishap at the SLF. The Mode 7 simulation of an astronaut rescue exercises all aspects of command and control, search and rescue, and medical procedures required for a successful rescue. The remote location of the mock-up prevents a totally land-based crew rescue, and calls on a NASA UH-1 helicopter to locate the site and four Air Force HH-60 helicopters to reach the site, drop emergency equipment and later remove the "crew" five astronaut candidates, one representative from the Vehicle Integration Test office, and one fire/rescue worker. The exercise will conclude with airlifted "patients" arriving safely in the emergency rooms of participating area hospitals