NASA is scheduled to conduct a simulated emergency landing
rescue exercise Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Kennedy Space Center
(KSC), Fla. The “Mode 7” drill will test the preparedness of
emergency personnel, equipment and facilities during a scenario
in which astronauts are rescued from a downed Orbiter.
In the simulation scenario, an Orbiter lands short of the
Shuttle Landing Facility in a wooded area south of KSC Runway
33. Emergency personnel respond to injured astronauts inside an
Orbiter crew compartment mock-up. They’ll remove the
astronauts, provide emergency on-site treatment, and transport
them by ambulance or helicopter to one of three hospitals.
To attend media must contact the KSC News Center at: 321/867-
2468 by noon EST, Tuesday, Feb. 17. Media without KSC-issued
badges should call: 321/867-7711 for accreditation.
News media must arrive at the NASA KSC Press Site by 8:15 a.m.
EST, Wednesday to attend the simulation exercise. Pants and
close-toed shoes are required. Sunscreen and insect protection
are recommended.
“Mode 7” is one of a series of drills periodically performed at
KSC to assess and prepare emergency personnel, procedures, and
hardware. The last KSC “Mode 7” was in 2002.
For information about NASA’s Space Shuttle program on the
Internet, visit:
