Training
Blue Origin Astronauten Training
Astronaut training at Blue Origin for the New Shepard missions typically lasts two days and is intensive, designed to prepare participants for suborbital flight. It includes theoretical instruction, safety drills (such as quickly donning the five-point harness and maneuvering within the capsule), and simulations in a capsule trainer and on the launch pad to practice all phases of flight, from evacuation to weightlessness, allowing astronauts to focus on acceleration and the view.
Training focuses on: Classroom and theory: Understanding the mission profile, safety systems, and weightlessness. Capsule training: Entry and exit, harness systems (quickly donning and releasing), movement in weightlessness, and emergency procedures.(e.g., fire protection system, masks). Simulations: Practicing launch and landing phases, climbing the launch tower, and responding to various scenarios using the capsule simulator.
Launch pad visit: Tour of the launch site and the rocket. Seat adjustment: Individual seat adjustments to withstand G-forces during emergency ejections. Duration & Scope: Usually 14 hours spread over two days. The focus is on practical skills and emergency management to minimize surprises during the flight. Training objective: The astronauts should feel safe and comfortable so they can fully enjoy weightlessness and the view from space.
Virgin Galactic Astronauten Training
Virgin Galactic's astronaut training prepares future space tourists for their suborbital journey by helping them become familiar with the aircraft (SpaceShipTwo/VSS Unity), the cabin environment, and G-forces. This training optimizes the experience and ensures they are ready for launch, led by veterans like Chief Astronaut Beth Moses. It includes hands-on exercises, G-force training (often at the Nastar Center), and preparation for weightlessness, all designed to curate the unique "future astronaut" experience. What the training includes: Cabin and systems training: Astronauts learn about the spacecraft and its functions to move safely within the cabin and fully enjoy the experience.
G-force training: Because the flights involve G-forces, training in a centrifuge (such as the Nastar Center) is often conducted to prepare for acceleration and reentry, as reported by NBC News. Weightlessness preparation: Although these are suborbital flights, training to simulate and experience weightlessness is also part of the comprehensive program to prepare passengers. Experience optimization: All training aims to maximize the transformative experience of spaceflight and ensure customers are ready. Who leads the training:
A team of experts, including pilots, engineers, and the medical staff, supports the future astronauts. Beth Moses, one of the first women in space, serves as Chief Astronaut Instructor. Target audience: The preparation is aimed at "Future Astronauts" who join the program through the exclusive Virgin Galactic Future Astronaut Community and embark on a lifelong journey. In summary, Virgin Galactic's training is a mix of practical, experiential sessions designed to prepare customers physically and mentally for their short but transformative journey into space, rather than being a years-long, intensive NASA program.
NASTAR
SPACEFLIGHT
TRAINING Programs
The NASTAR Center offers a wide variety of human spaceflight training options ranging from Orbital and Suborbital spaceflight training programs; to advanced courses which include space physiology, high G loading in multi-axes, high altitude and decompression, and multi-axis accelerations. Each course is offered as an initial training course or a refresher training course. The NASTAR Center is the first FAA-Approved center able to meet Crew Qualification and Training Requirements (14 CFR Part 460.5) (FAA Certificate SA 10-001) for commercial human spaceflight.
