Training Missions (procedures)

The purpose of a training mission is to instruct all participants in the details of procedures and protocol, reveal deficiencies in current protocols, and develop familiarity with general best practices and software.

Preparation

Immediately before a traning mission commences the following should be decided on:

• The purpose of this particular training mission
• Whether it will take place in the Beta or Gamma reality
• Whether or not it is necessary that the mission start from take-off rather than from AYSE or even the mission destination.

Reality

Training Missions can either take place in the Gamma Reality or the Beta Reality. When in Gamma, participants will know that they are simulating a space mission for the purposes of training. However, they will do their utmost to portray their activities as being a component of a real space mission, in order to preserve immersion in the simulation. A Beta mission will have the participants attempt to simulate an actual mission. Before a training mission commences the Admiral, Mission Commander, or senior student in charge of the mission must should which reality the mission will be conducted in.

Types of Training Missions

There are two types of training missions:

Full Missions

Full Missions are essentially Main Missions in miniature. However, they can be initialised from any location (i.e. it is not necessary to begin each Full Training Mission by blasting off from Earth). Full Training Missions differ from Main Missions in that they have defined end criteria that, if met, will cause the Mission Control Commander to end the training mission, and initiate debriefing.

• Purpose: The astronauts will have one or two purposes to fulfill, possibly including an experiment.
• Astros: A full crew complement of at least 6 astronauts should be aboard the Habitat. Up to 8 astronauts are permitted, but this has adverse affects on the temperature and comfort in Command and Control.
• Mission Control: Mission Control should be manned as for a Main Mission according to Mission Control Staffing Procedures
• Simulators: Simulators should operate as normal for a Main Mission, reducing the number or difficulty of obstacles to an appropriate level for the time period allotted.
• Time: Full Training Missions generally require at least 5 hours excluding set-up and clean-up

Scenario Missions

Scenario Missions are short training excercises that emphasise one or two mission protocols. All participants will receive a briefing complete with backstory prior to the beginning of the mission, and will then begin in media res. Scenario Training Missions have one or two end criteria that, if met, will cause the Mission Control Commander to end the training mission, and initiate debriefing.

• Purpose: The astronauts' purpose will be dictated by the scenario.
• Astros: Variable complement. Minimum starting crew size is 3 astronauts unless otherwise indicated.
• Mission Control: Mission Control should be manned as for a Main Mission according to Mission Control Staffing Procedures unless otherwise indicated.
• Simulators: Simulator actions will be dictated by the scenario.
• Time: Scenario Training Missions require at least 1 hour excluding set-up and clean-up.

Example Scenarios

Main article: Example Scenarios

The following is an example briefing manual that might be passed around prior to a scenario training mission. Only the Mission Control Commander should retain a copy of this document during the mission.

General
1. Crew Size: 4 astronauts.
2. En route to Mars, the Habitat is struck by a piece of debris, which penetrates the Hotlab.
3. The Hotlab will begin at 0kPa internal pressure.
4. The Habitat will be flying through a dense field of debris, which may cause additional penetrations.

Mission End Criteria
The exercise will end if:
1. Death: No astronauts survive.
2. Landing: The astronauts put down on a solid surface.
3. Patching: The astronauts return the Hotlab to condition Green with no leaks. All other Habitat systems must be green.

Simulator Notes
1. Create and load an ORBIT save file with the Habitat en route to Mars
2. Create a hole in the Hotlab
3. Create leak in Hotlab
4. Set Asteroid Warning to ON
5. Prepare to cause additional ruckus and react to actions from MC and Hab

Documentation and Observers

In Mission Control

In Mission Control, each Mission Controller should have a copy of their position's procedures. The Flight Director should have a complete copy of all Mission Procedures.

During the Mission, if a situation arises that would benefit from having standard procedures, a note should be made, at the time of the situation, to write them in to the documentation during the debriefing.

If available, Mission Controllers not currently on duty may be asked to perform the role of an Observer. An Observer will add material to the Mission Procedures during the Mission, where such situations that warrant these additions arise in accordance with Observer Procedures.

In the Habitat

There should be one full procedures manual in the Habitat during every mission. However, it is unlikely that the astronauts will have the time or the extra hands necessary to perform document revisions while performing their mission-related duties.

Training Requirements

Mission Control

All Mission Controllers are required to have certification at the "In Progress" rating or higher on each station that they man in Mission Control.

There must always be at least one Mission Controller on duty with certification at the "Complete" rating or higher on the COMMAND station.

There must always be at least one Mission Controller on duty with certification at the "Complete" rating or higher on the NETWORK station. This staffer can be tasked to duties other than Network Administration if that expertise is not required.

Habitat

All Astronauts are required to have certification at the "In Progress" rating or higher on all of the following Habitat stations:

• AUXCOM
• CAPCOM
• EECOM
• LOGS
• ENG

At least one astronaut must have certification at the "In Progress" rating or higher on the MEDIC station.

At least one astronaut must have certification at the "Complete" rating or higher on the PILOT station.

At least one astronaut must have certification at the "Complete" rating or higher on the COMMAND station.