PRACTICAL EXERCISES AS PART OF FLIGHT CONTROLLER TRAINING

Abstract

Operating the International Space Station (ISS) as a Flight Controller is a highly complex and challenging endeavour, which requires not only excellent knowledge but also special skills on console. Flight controller tuition is, therefore, not solely based on classroom lessons and reading material, but must also comprise operational sessions which ensure that the required practical skills are learnt. This paper describes the practical training efforts at the Columbus Control Center (Col-CC), details the methods used, and highlights their benefits and the related challenges for the instructors.