Space shuttle contingency functional
MANNED SPACE FLIGHT SUPPORT OFFICE
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MANNED SPACE FLIGHT SUPPORT OFFICEPatrick AFB FL 32925-323915 February 2003APPENDIX 2 TO ANNEX C TO DDMS FUNCPLAN 3610-03KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (KSC), FLORIDA
1. Situation. A SAR and MEDEVAC capability will be available during prelaunch, launch, and landings. For nominal landings at EOM sites, DOD SAR support is required until released by the crew surgeon or deputy crew surgeon for potential medevac operations. The crew surgeon/deputy surgeon will notify the EMS coordinator of the release and the EMS coordinator will notify the DOD surgeon and LRD. KSC may be designated as a primary or secondary end-of-mission (EOM) landing, AOA site, PLS or ELS. 2. Area of Operation. a. A 25 NM radius of the KSC TACAN, excluding the Atlantic Ocean, is designated the KSC local area for Space Shuttle contingency support operations planning. (1) Within this area, the DOD will support NASA's rescue/recovery operations and MEDEVAC. (2) Outside the KSC local area, SAR operations will be conducted in accordance with Appendix 3 and appropriate SAR plans. Forces committed to the KSC area will be released, with concurrence of commander concerned, to the responsible SAR Mission Coordinator. b. Within 50 NM of the KSC TACAN (outside the KSC local area), DOD forces committed to orbiter EOM landings will be prepared to respond to a bailout or other contingency by locating and providing assistance to the crew members as soon as possible. See Appendix 3 for bailout support during launch, RTLS, and AOA. 3. Concept of Operation. a. Contingency support operations within the KSC local contingency area are a joint effort performed by NASA and DOD support forces. NASA has overall responsibility for rescue operations within this area. At KSC, the DOD provides helicopters, flight surgeons, and pararescue specialists for airborne rescue, recovery and MEDEVAC. DOD helicopters supporting Space Shuttle contingency operations may be reconfigured and used to transport NASA fire/crash/rescue teams to a mishap site. b. In the event of an incident during prelaunch, launch, or landing, NASA will initiate a contingency response by declaring one of the contingency response modes listed in Annex C, paragraph 5. Requests for DOD support will normally come from the NASA Test Director, Flight Director, or the Landing Recovery Director to the SOC. Once the SOC directs a response, the SOC Director normally delegates airborne on-scene command responsibility to an "airboss" who is authorized to direct and coordinate support actions and MEDEVAC support directly with the KSC Rescue Operations Commander (ROC). The SOC will provide coordination/control and assistance to the DOD airborne OSC. 4. Management Structure. The following individuals will interface directly with other members of the DOD Manager's organization and with the appropriate NASA representatives. a. DOD Airboss/Airborne On-Scene Commander (OSC). Jolly 1 (HH-60) is normally designated the DOD Airboss/airborne OSC. The DOD Airboss/airborne OSC will respond to a contingency when directed by the SOC. Specific responsibilities are to: (1) Direct the employment of participating DOD resources. (2) Coordinate with the NASA ROC to implement the requested support (KSC local contingency area only). (3) Coordinate delivery of orbiter crew members to the medical facility designated by the attending physician. (4) Coordinate SAR operations outside the designated KSC local contingency area with the SOC, or other responsible SAR agency. (5) Request assistance through the SOC. (6) Transfer/brief new airborne OSC of situation before departing the scene. 5. Alert Requirements and Notification Times. Alert postures will be determined by the following in-place requirements and response notification times. (NOTE: For classified missions, the L-time will be computed from the beginning of the unclassified launch period.) a. In-Place Requirements. (1) Pre-Launch. Before launches, two other DOD helicopters will be available at the SLF during flight crew ingress (normally L-3 hours) to support pre-launch contingency MEDEVAC requirements. (NOTE: Two DOD helicopters support range safety surveillance). (2) Launch and RTLS. DOD helicopters will be at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at L-10 minutes to support launch and RTLS. Expect release by the SOC after “Negative Return” when the RTLS opportunity has passed. (3) Early Termination and EOM Landings. For an early termination landing during a KSC primary landing site (PLS) opportunity (with 24 hours notice) or EOM landing, DOD helicopters will be at the KSC SLF at Ld-30 minutes. For other early termination landings, DOD helicopters will be in place and ready to support at Ld-30 minutes, if notification time permits. b. Notification Times. (1) Launch and EOM. Launch and EOM landings will be scheduled as far in advance as possible. (2) RTLS and Bailout. Notification of an RTLS or bailout will be provided by the SOC as soon as possible. Expect about 20 minutes notification for an RTLS. (3) KSC Primary Landing Opportunities. KSC may be designated as the primary landing site (PLS) on any on-orbit mission day. Each day NASA will select the PLS for the following day at least 24 hours before the landing opportunity. 6. Operational Requirements. The KSC ROC and Safety Director will provide appropriate contingency rescue/recovery forces at KSC and employ other resources to conduct the mission. The Commander, AFRC will provide: DOD helicopters (enough to rescue/MEDEVAC the specific mission’s orbiter crewmembers) will be available to support launch, bailout, RTLS, early termination, and EOM landings. Each helicopter will carry a flight surgeon, two pararescuemen (PJs) if available (see 6.c. below) and approximately 500 pounds of medical equipment. Helicopters may be reconfigured to support a Mode VII to deliver NASA fire/crash/rescue crews to an off-runway mishap site. Communications. Primary contact with the orbiter will be on UHF 259.7 MHz (primary), 296.8 MHz (secondary), or 243.0 MHz (tertiary). See Annex K. Medical Support. The DOD will provide one flight surgeon per MEDEVAC helicopter and one PJ per astronaut (normally two per helicopter). See Annex Q. Search and Rescue. EOM landings will be supported by enough helicopters to transport that mission's orbiter crew. Within 50 NM of the KSC TACAN, the SOC Director will direct the initial DOD SAR response. Outside this area, SAR will be the responsibility of the appropriate regional SAR Coordinator in coordination with the SOC. 7. Traffic Control. a. Ground Traffic. The SLF tower will control all ground traffic on or in the immediate vicinity of the KSC SLF. b. Air Traffic. Air traffic control will be in accordance with the KSC Aircraft Control Plan. 45 SW will provide necessary aircrew briefings. 45 SW will use available radar to provide vectoring of SAR aircraft. The Military Radar Unit (MRU) will provide clearance to enter the restricted areas as soon as possible after a mishap. The Airspace Control Officer (ACO) will monitor and coordinate aircraft while in restricted airspace. (2) Helicopter SAR operations in the KSC local area will be conducted under visual flight rules (VFR). Aircraft commanders will comply with procedures established in the Aircraft Control Plan. (3) Operations outside the designated area will be conducted in accordance with standard air traffic control procedures. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MANNED SPACE FLIGHT SUPPORT OFFICEPatrick AFB FL 32925-323915 February 2003APPENDIX 3 TO ANNEX C TO DDMS FUNCPLAN 3610-03 LAUNCH CONTINGENCY BAILOUT AREA
1. Situation. NASA has incorporated astronaut bailout capability into the orbiter. An astronaut crew of up to seven during launch and eight during landing may bailout during controlled flight or following a catastrophic breakup in which the crew compartment remains intact. Each crew member carries survival equipment and personal locator devices. Automatic bailout sequencing should place the crew members in the same general area. Should a bailout situation occur, the Flight Director will declare a Mode VIII; the DOD SOC will respond accordingly using prepositioned assets. 2. Area of Operations. The KSC launch contingency bailout area is the over-land region within 50 NM of the launch site and from the coast line downrange along the orbiter’s ground track to the TAL site. See Tabs A, B and C. a. Higher Probability Areas. Within 50 NM of the launch site, and from the coastline to a point 200 NM downrange along the launch ground track. Search and rescue (SAR) forces are postured to respond immediately, and dependent upon the weather conditions, sea states, reliability of bailout location data, etc., will try to locate and provide assistance within 3 hours and recover astronauts within 6 hours of notification. b. Lower Probability Areas. From a point 200 NM from the launch site to the TAL sites and within a 50 NM radius of the EOM sites. SAR forces are postured to respond immediately and, dependent upon the weather conditions, sea states, reliability of bailout location data, etc., will try to locate and provide assistance within 24 hours of notification and recover the astronauts as soon as possible. 3. Concept of Operations. Initial SAR operations for crewmembers within the launch contingency bailout area will be supported by DOD resources pre-positioned at the launch site, along the launch ground track, and at the TAL sites. Within 50 NM of the launch site and up to 200 NM downrange, air refuelable helicopters, H/KC-130 aircraft, E-2C aircraft, a Coast Guard HU-25 or C-130, and a U.S. Navy ship will be used for search and rescue/recovery and MEDEVAC operations. From 200 NM to the TAL sites, HC-130s from the CONUS, P-3C aircraft from selected locations and C-130s from the TAL sites will respond to a datum point, conduct SAR operations and provide assistance. All CONUS based fixed-wing aircraft supporting down-range rescue to the TAL site should anticipate recovery at other than a CONUS base and prepare accordingly (i.e., passports, travel orders, civilian clothes, money, etc.) U.S. Navy vessels, and/or ships of opportunity will be used to recover survivors in this area. Extended SAR operations will be conducted by the appropriate Regional SAR Coordinator. 4. Management Structure. a. Prior to launch, the SOC will establish continuous communications with supporting DOD forces, Coast Guard forces and DOD landing sites. Communications will be maintained until successful orbit or until parties are no longer needed. b. In the event of a bailout contingency, NASA will contact the SOC Director to request support. The SOC Director will immediately direct dedicated forces to respond as appropriate. Extended SAR operations will be coordinated by the appropriate Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) or other responsible agency. c. The SOC will serve as the interface between NASA and the designated SAR Coordinator. The SOC Director will be the single point of contact to pass information to the SAR Coordinator and will keep the DOD Manager, National Military Command Center, and NASA informed of mission progress. 5. Alert Requirements/Notification Times. Alert postures will be determined by the following in-place requirements and response notification times: a. In-Place Requirements. (1) Launch and RTLS (KSC). DOD helicopters (primary and spare) configured for SAR/MEDEVAC will be in place at the KSC SLF at L-10 minutes. Expect release after the RTLS opportunity passes. (2) Launch and RTLS (Downrange). (a) The primary surface asset is a U.S. Navy ship preferably with an embarked helicopter, which when available will be located at a pre-designated MSP NLT L-10 minutes. Other surface assets include two Coast Guard Patrol Boats (WPBs), normally located within 10 miles of the launch pad and the two SRB recovery ships, normally located about 120 NM down range. If a Navy ship is not available, the SRB ships will become the primary surface asset. If both the Navy and SRB ships are not available, DDMS will request the Coast Guard reposition the small cutter class (110 foot or equivalent) WPB as a primary surface asset. This will require at least 24 hours notice so the Coast Guard can deploy another 41 foot WPB (or equivalent), if available, to relieve the cutter class WPB from its higher priority shuttle security and range clearing mission. This should occur at approximately L-2 hours, or as required, so the cutter class WPB can reposition to a pre-designated MSP approximately 40 NM down range NLT L-10 minutes. (b) After completing the maritime surveillance mission for the Eastern Range, the USCG HU-25 (call sign Clearance 1) will return to Patrick AFB, hot refuel, and maintain cockpit alert NLT launch time. If a Coast Guard HC-130 is employed, it may remain airborne and reposition at the designated contingency MSP NLT L-10 minutes. (c) Two E-2Cs will be on standby for expeditious launch to assist in aircraft control and communications. One E-2C will be on cockpit alert at Patrick AFB monitoring radios at L-30 minutes, and ready to start engines at L-5 minutes. A second E-2C will assume a one-hour alert posture at NAS Norfolk or RAFB. (d) Designated P-3C aircraft will be on Ready 1 alert from L-30 minutes until the shuttle achieves orbit. (e) Coordinates for the ships and H/KC-130 will be provided by Range Safety and assigned prior to each mission. (f) All downrange contingency SAR ship and aircraft assets will be released after negative RTLS and negative TAL, respectively. (3) Launch Abort Landing Sites. Designated airfields (Appendix 1 to Annex C) provide an alternative to bailout if two or three main engines fail during the launch ascent and prior to TAL abort capability. The airfields will dedicate the designated runway at launch through their vulnerability period which falls within a window from L+2.5 to L+6.5 minutes into the flight. See the basic plan for specific responsibilities. (4) Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) Sites. At L-1 hour, two C-130s—each with nine PJs, three RAMZ kits, and survival equipment—will be in place at two of the three TAL sites for SAR and MEDEVAC support. C-130 crews will be ready for an expeditious launch until the TAL opportunity passes. TAL C-130s may be used for other logistic and operational support requirements. Due to the potentially serious degradation of DOD support posture, approval to use the C-130 for weather flights will normally be made by the SOC Director only if the TAL C-12 or 21 weather aircraft is unable to fly the scheduled sortie and NASA has determined that such flights are critical for shuttle launch. The DDMS Deployed Forces Commander can make the decision in the event direct communication with the SOC is impossible. (5) Early Termination Landing. To support a PLS or ELS landing, helicopter support forces will be at the runway at Ld-30 minutes if notification time permits. (6) EOM Landing. Helicopter support forces will be at their MSP at Ld-30 minutes. b. Notification Times. (1) EOM. EOM landings will be scheduled as far in advance as possible. (2) Early Termination Landings. A specific landing site will be identified as the PLS each mission day. This primary landing opportunity will be identified by DDMS prior to each mission but weather or equipment limitations may require a site change with as little as 24 hours notice. Given 24 hours notice, DOD support will be available for a PLS landing and will be in place and ready to support by Ld-30 minutes. For less than 24 hours notice, DOD support is best effort. However, DOD support forces will make every effort to have full support available based on the amount of notification time. 6. Operational Requirements. Commanders of tasked resources will posture to support a potential bailout operation according to the following criteria: a. When directed by the SOC, DOD helicopters will proceed from the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) to the bailout site. If beyond 200 NM from the launch site, the SOC will determine whether or not it is feasible to use them to recover the astronauts. Refueling will be provided by available H/KC-130 tanker aircraft. Each helicopter will be configured with two pararescuemen (PJs), one flight surgeon and appropriate medical equipment. The spare helicopter, if available, may not have PJs onboard. b. The U. S. Coast Guard surveillance aircraft (HU-25/HC-130) previously committed to support Eastern Range operations will normally be released by L-45 minutes unless the Safety Control Officer (SCO) determines the surveillance mission is not complete and safety concerns will prohibit a successful launch. The U.S. Coast Guard aircraft will support a Space Shuttle SAR contingency as directed by the SOC. If an HU-25 is used as a surveillance aircraft, it will return to Patrick AFB, hot refuel, and maintain alert for SAR tasking NLT launch time. If a U. S. Coast Guard HC-130 is used as a surveillance aircraft, it will depart the Eastern Range as required to be in-place at a pre-designated contingency SAR MSP NLT L-10 minutes. c. The two AF HC-130s at Patrick AFB will be configured with three RAMZ kits, two 3-man pararescue specialist (PJ) teams, and two MA-2 survival kits. A Marine KC-130 with two MA-2 kits is also on alert to provide air refueling support and as an air drop/SAR platform. The SAR configured H/KC-130s will proceed, when requested, to the predicted bailout point and set up search patterns to locate the astronauts. When beyond 200NM or when the Airboss deems it necessary, the first C-130 on the bailout scene may divide the recovery area into two sectors and deploy a PJ team with a RAMZ kit into each sector. Both teams will then proceed to the center of the area, recovering astronauts en route. The C-130 may deploy an MA-2 survival kit to the center of the recovery area. The PJ teams may rendezvous at the MA-2 kit and use it as a platform for rendering contingency medical care until recovery by helicopter or surface vessel. Additional teams and equipment will be deployed as necessary. See Tabs A, B and C. d. Two E-2Cs will support shuttle launch. The E-2C on cockpit alert at Patrick AFB will start engines when directed by the SOC at L-5 minutes and launch when the SOC directs if RTLS is declared. The second E-2C on alert/back-up at home station will be launched as required to complete a handoff with Hawkeye 1 unless the SOC directs otherwise. Hawkeye 2 should be ready to launch immediately if Hawkeye 1 is unable to get airborne. e. In the event of a mid-ocean bailout, the P-3C(s) will proceed to the area where bailout occurred, locate the astronauts, drop a SAR kit(s), and provide surveillance. C-130s will simultaneously be launched from Patrick AFB or TAL sites to provide MA-2 and RAMZ kit support. See Tabs A, B and C. f. When directed by the DOD SOC, the Navy ship, SRB recovery ships, and/or available U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats will proceed to the predicted bailout point to assist in astronaut recovery, PJ pickup, and raft recovery. It is highly desirable for the Navy ship to embark a helicopter configured for hoist recovery. The helicopter should only be launched when requested by the designated on-scene commander (Airboss) or the DOD SOC. g. All participating SAR forces will debrief the DOD SOC, the SAR Mission Coordinator, or Rescue Coordination Center controller following mission termination. 7. Air Traffic Control. Air traffic control in the launch area will be IAW the KSC Aircraft Control Plan. 45 SW will provide aircrew briefings as required. a. 45 SW/RANS will use available radar to provide vectoring of SAR aircraft when requested. They will also provide clearance for SAR aircraft to enter the restricted areas as soon as safety permits after a mishap. A Navy E-2C will enter the search area after notification to assist in aircraft control/vectoring and communications relay. b. Aircraft commanders will comply with procedures established in the KSC Aircraft Control Plan (reference b.). c. Operations outside the designated search area will be conducted in accordance with standard air traffic control procedures. d. When conducting SAR operations over the Atlantic ocean, the Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility in Jacksonville, FL (FACSFAC JAX, call sign "SEALORD"), may be able to provide radar vectoring as requested. As explained in paragraph 7 (a), the Navy E-2C would also assist. Tabs:
B. Launch Contingency Bailout Area Recovery Posture - Mid Inclination C. Launch Contingency Bailout Area Recovery Posture - Low Inclination D. Launch Contingency Bailout Area Recovery Posture - SAR Area Depiction (INTENTIONALLY BLANK) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MANNED SPACE FLIGHT SYUPPORT OFFICE Directory: main main -> Thirteenth Maine Regiment main -> Sra: Imagine It!, Themes, Taking a Stand, Ancient Civilizations Ecology, Great Expectations, Earth in Action, Art and Impact, Level 6 main -> The Significant Properties of Software: a study main -> Temperature and somatic growth effects on otolith growth of larval Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus main -> Jl. K. S tubun 2c no. 57 Petamburan Jakarta Barat main -> Why did they commit this attack main -> Untying the Knot? Assessing the compatibility of the American and European strategic culture under President Obama main -> Sra: Imagine It!, Themes, Risks and Consequences, Nature's Delicate Balance, a changing America, Science Fair, America on the Move, Dollars and Sense, Level 4 [Grade 4] main -> The Internet on Strike Katrin Henry Download 2.5 Mb. Share with your friends:
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