from the to-boldly-go-just-in-case dept.
Air Force rescue crews ready in case of SpaceX, Boeing launch malfunctions:
U.S. Air Force rescue teams have completed training in preparation for possible emergency bailouts of space launches by SpaceX and Boeing.
The training took place [in] the Atlantic Ocean and the Banana River near the Florida-based Patrick Space Force Base, the Air Force [said] in a press release.
[...] As part of the training, members of the 38th Rescue Squadron Blue Team performed free fall jumps and equipment drops into the water.
Rescue teams need to be proficient in safely landing in the ocean with gear, including with inflatable boats that […] can be loaded with medical supplies, paddles and other supplies.
The Air Force said routine exercises like these keep teams ready for other rescue operations in other settings.
"It reassures them that if they do have an emergency, they know there's a team who is highly trained in these types of rescues," Tech. Sgt. Michael Galindo, 38th pararescueman and Blue Team section chief, said in the press release.
"It's important for us to constantly keep current on this type of jump because there's a lot that goes into it," Galindo said.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday September 08 2021, @01:47AM (8 children)
It's reassuring that the air force feels the need to reassure us that they are sure of something. Maybe I'll just do an internet search on successful aborted rocket launch rescues . . .
“I have become friends with many school shooters” - Tampon Tim Walz
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 08 2021, @02:06AM
Any sea rescue involves hazards, and for a high end S&R unit having a wide variety of training scenarios in invaluable for keeping their skills sharp. Also, they interviewed a Tech Sergeant. His job is 'doing', not 'explaining'.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 08 2021, @03:37AM (4 children)
Somebody has to clean up after Boeing's mess.
(Score: 3, Flamebait) by Opportunist on Wednesday September 08 2021, @06:25AM (1 child)
And as usual it's taxpayer money. Why not socialize cost when you can?
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Wednesday September 08 2021, @08:36PM
EXACTLY! Corporations don't want to pay taxes, but if something goes wrong and a rescue has to be done, who will pay?
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. I have always been here. ---Gaaark 2.0 --
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday September 08 2021, @02:21PM (1 child)
Once upon a time, long ago, in a different millennium, Boeing got things done on budget and before deadlines.
Now Boeing does calculations to determine just how far past deadlines they can be and still keep the contract.
Change in management you see.
The server will be down for replacement of vacuum tubes, belts, worn parts and lubrication of gears and bearings.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Wednesday September 08 2021, @08:39PM
and how far above contract they can push the profit: supposed to cost $2.4 billion? Yeah....right.... let's double that and see what happens!
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. I have always been here. ---Gaaark 2.0 --
(Score: 2) by Frosty Piss on Wednesday September 08 2021, @05:30AM (1 child)
As I am sure you are aware, the mechanisms for a (semi) safe abort have advanced by many folds since Apollo and the unsurvivable Shuttle. It’s a different, and realistically survivable possibility today.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 08 2021, @04:31PM
Modern abort systems are very good, but Apollo era abort systems worked well enough. Soyuz still uses such a system and it has worked every time they've needed it. The Shuttle was a major step backwards in that regard.
(Score: 2) by Rosco P. Coltrane on Wednesday September 08 2021, @02:16AM (4 children)
Shouldn't the newly-created Space Force be taking care of this? At least they'd be useful for something...
(Score: 4, Touché) by tavares on Wednesday September 08 2021, @02:35AM (3 children)
Sorry, their job is security theater, not sea rescue.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 08 2021, @05:08AM (1 child)
Seems like there is a branch of the military that handles sea rescues already.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 08 2021, @11:01PM
But if the AF let the proper service do the job, they'd have to give up the budget for this! AF does NOT work that way (ever been to an AF base?).
(Score: 3, Funny) by Rosco P. Coltrane on Wednesday September 08 2021, @11:05AM
Hmm no, that job description already belongs to the DHS and the TSA.
Maybe space opera?