Preparing for the High Frontier: The Role and Training of NASA Astronauts in the Post-Space Shuttle Era
Committee on Human Spaceflight Crew Operations; National Research Council
NAS Press | 2011 | ISBN: 0309218691 9780309218696 | 104 pages | PDF | 3 MB

Three main questions about changes: what should be the role and size of Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Flight Crew Operations Directorate (FCOD); what will be the requirements of astronaut training facilities; and is the Astronaut Corps' fleet of training aircraft a cost-effective means of preparing astronauts for NASA's spaceflight program? This report presents an assessment of several issues driven by these questions.

As the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) retires the Space Shuttle and shifts involvement in International Space Station (ISS) operations, changes in the role and requirements of NASA's Astronaut Corps will take place.
This report does not address explicitly the future of human spaceflight.

Contents
SUMMARY
1 THE EVOLUTION OF THE U.S. ASTRONAUT PROGRAM
History of the Size of the NASA Astronaut Corps
Crew Redundancy and Back-Ups
History of Astronaut Corps Selection Criteria and Aviation Experience
History of the Organizational Structure and Role of the Astronaut Office
History of NASA Ground Training Facilities and Allocation for Spaceflight Readiness Training
Summary
2 NASA's HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT: ROLE AND SIZE OF THE ACTIVITIES
MANAGED BY THE FLIGHT CREW OPERATIONS DIRECTORATE
NASA Human Spaceflight Mission Requirements
Current Astronaut Corps Staffing
International Space Station Training Requirements
Evolution to Post-Shuttle Operations
Crew in the Post-Shuttle Era
Future Staffing
Potential Impacts on Requirements for Crew and Facilities in the Future
Commercial Crew Operations Models
NASA Development Programs
Summary
Findings and Recommendations
3 POST-SHUTTLE SPACEFLIGHT CREW TRAINING RESOURCES:
GROUND-BASED FACILITIES AND T-38N TALON AIRCRAFT
Transition to a Post-Shuttle Astronaut Corps
Training and Proficiency Requirements
Crew Training Ground Facilities and the Space Shuttle's Retirement
High-Performance Aircraft and Astronaut Training
International Partners and Commercial Aviation Training
Current and Post-Shuttle T-38N Assets
Post-Shuttle Simulator Capability
Differences Between Simulators and High-Performance Flight Environments
Evolving Training Methods in Other Fields
Summary
Findings and Recommendations
APPENDIXES
A Appropriate Training Methods and Technologies
B Glossary
C Committee and Staff Biographical Information