Frequently Asked Questions
Do the astronauts on the Russell Space Team really go into space?
• It is a space simulation. The simulator never actually leaves the ground, but we treat everything exactly as if the astronaut crew is really in orbit around the Earth traveling through outer space. No one enters or leaves the simulator during the 27-hour simulation unless it is a medical emergency.
How many people work in Mission Control?
• There are 8 consoles in mission control manned by 8 different flight controllers at a time. Depending on how many students are on the team, there are either 2 or 3 flight control teams. The teams are named the Red Team, White Team, and Blue Team. Each team works a shift that lasts about 2 hours. They then go off-duty and another team takes the console.
There is also a Simulation Supervisor (SimSup) position that is located in Mission Control but is not considered part of Mission Control. The job of SimSups is to work behind the scenes to make the simulation as realistic as possible.
What is "The Trench?"
• The Trench is the nickname for the front row in Mission Control and includes the positions BOOSTER, MAX, FIDO, GNC, and EECOM. Flight controllers that work in The Trench all have telemetry data that must be constantly monitored. People in The Trench are nicknamed "Trench Rats."
What do the astronauts eat?
• The food they eat is not much different from what you probably eat everyday. They must adapt to a few things when planning their diet. They do not have a lot of space and refrigerator space is very limited--just enough space to keep a few things. This means that most things have to be stored dry. There is also a small microwave oven to use and plenty of water available. Some crews have packed freeze dried food to eat. Some pack fresh fruit. Some crews pack a few sandwiches into the refrigerator. Canned food and small snacks are also common. Most crews have a combination of all of these. The astronaut crew plans and stows their own meals. They do not have a cooler.
How do the astronauts use the restroom?
• There are two small portable toilets onboard. They must go behind a curtain to use them. Each toilet has a reservoir of water at the top that is hand pumped to flush. The flush water then goes into a holding tank at the bottom. The tank is then emptied after the mission.
How do the astronauts and mission control talk to each other?
• The astronauts and mission control communicate mainly by handheld radio transceivers on UHF frequencies that are licensed to Mr. Laster for use. In mission control, the CapCom position does about 95% of the direct communication with the crew on the transceiver. Astronauts each have a transceiver that has speakers and a mic wired into their helmet. Computer files can also be shared between mission control and the crew through a shared folder called the AirGround folder.
How old do you have to be to be on the Russell Space Team?
• The program is available to 4th and 5th graders who attend Russell Elementary School. There is an application process the student must go through to be considered for selection to the team.
How can I be an astronaut on the Russell Space Team?
• It is important to point out a few things before answering this question:
1) The astronaut position is not the most important on the team. ALL positions are equally important and necessary for a successful mission.
2) Only four astronauts will be placed on a crew for a mission. Two additional astronauts will train as backups but will only fly if one of the primary crew astronauts cannot participate. This means that most team members will have a position in Mission Control, not on the astronaut crew.
3) If you want to be an astronaut there is nothing wrong with that. Just make sure that you understand that it may not happen and that your role on the team may very well be in Mission Control.
4) Astronauts are not chosen because they are the "best" ones on the team. It is just as important to have good people in Mission Control as it is in the Intrepid.
5) You might want to click the link to the right about amateur radio. Amateur Radio
If you want to try for an astronaut position, first you must get onto the Russell Space Team. Once you are on the team, you can run in the astronaut candidate PFT (physical fitness test). The PFT is a one-mile run that must be completed in under 10 minutes. The PFT usually takes place at the second or third after-school training session for the team. If you complete the run under 10 minutes, then you will be able to pick up an astronaut application. Positions on the astronaut crew and Mission Control are assigned a few weeks after that.
More FAQs always being added. If you have a question about the Russell Space program that you cannot find the answer to above, please contact us at spacerussell@gmail.com
