New Delhi, May 27: Emergencies can arise during any space mission. This raises a common question: how are astronauts trained for such situations? An old video featuring Captain Shubanshu Shukla, an astronaut with the Indian Air Force, provides detailed insights on this topic.
He explains that a crucial part of astronaut training involves practicing for emergencies. According to Shukla, astronauts spend about 80% of their time preparing for scenarios where things go wrong, rather than rehearsing the mission itself. In aerospace terminology, this is referred to as ‘off-nominal scenarios.’ This means knowing what to do when everything doesn’t go according to plan.
The most severe emergencies on the International Space Station (ISS) include fires or toxic gas leaks. To handle these situations, astronauts undergo extensive and systematic training. The first rule is to ensure personal safety. If an astronaut is unsafe, they cannot assist others. A healthy and capable astronaut can help save the entire crew.
In the video, Shukla demonstrates the use of an emergency oxygen mask. He explains that this mask is essential during a toxic gas leak on the space station. While it may resemble something from a science fiction film, its design is entirely practical, inflating easily under stress.
He cites the airline safety announcement, emphasizing that the advice to “put on your oxygen mask first before assisting others” applies not just to airplanes but also to space missions, which are incredibly complex. A small mistake can be fatal. Therefore, astronauts repeatedly train for off-nominal scenarios to remain calm and make the right decisions during real crises.
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