MODULES AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GAGARIN COSMONAUT TRAINING CENTER

G-Force Training

Centrifuge TSF-18: The 'human centrifuge' of the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center is one of the largest centrifuges in the world. It is used to train cosmonauts for the launch of the Soyuz rocket into space. In a Soyuz launch, the G-forces from 3.6 to 4.2 G acceleration of gravity respectively could approach. During re-entry of the Soyuz capsule, the G-forces are similar if there is a nominal flight.

The centrifuge can build up G-forces that may lie beyond 30 G, but this is absolutely fatal to a human. Those G-forces are needed in the technical area for the purpose of material testing. Cosmonauts are trained to withstand G-forces of up to 12 Gs. In contrast to jet pilots, cosmonauts don’t have technical assist by G-Force with special suits or pants.

You can start at the GCTC and the landing of Soyuz experience:

• Nominal liftoff and Descent Training: between 3.6 G and 4.2 G.

  
  

• Ascent & Descent Soyuz training "ballistic": between 3.2 and 8.2 G. Here G is increased abrupt from 4.2 to 8.2 G, and the participant must hold 8G for 15 seconds.
  
  Notes: a general preliminary medical investigation is required. Before the trip with the centrifuge you are medically investigated again. Prices and schedule options are available on request.

Pressure Suit & Spacesuit & Training

Pressure suit "Sokol" and spacesuit "Orlan" widely known as "astronaut suit" are to satisfy the various suits for different purposes cosmonauts. This is the purpose to distinguish. If during takeoff and landing pressure suits "Sokol" (Falcon) are used, ‘Orlan’ (Russian for ‘Eagle’) space suits are used for a free exit into free space.

Pressure suits allow the cosmonauts to compensate pressure losses that could occur in the capsule.

The "Sokol" pressure suit is connected via tubes with the oxygen and pressure system of the capsule and allows the astronauts to survive in a vacuum, should escape the vital atmosphere within the capsule by a pressure leak or other malfunction. The pressure suit "Sokol" is not suitable for survival in space.

The spacesuit "Orlan", however, is its own little 'spaceship', which allows the cosmonauts outboard activities in open space up to 10 hours.

The 'Orlan' consists of a metal torso with moveable arms and legs; it’s equipped with various layers of material against micrometeoroids and extreme heat and protects the cosmonaut of the absolute dangerous radiation in open space. The suit has a weight on Earth of about 120 kilograms.

The cosmonaut is wearing special cooling underwear, to cover the different temperatures in outer space by the simultaneous effect of sunlight and shade by water circulation. The cosmonaut enters through the back of the suit, including the cooling and communication systems to the suit and closes the suit. It is providing normal atmosphere. The internal pressure is 0.4 atm in the suit, which requires efforts during the normal routine work to work against the internal pressure.

You can test both suits at the GCTC and train with them:

• Pressure suit "Sokol": 1 to 2 hours training duration at which you are trained in the technical system of the suit.

  
  

• Space Suit "Orlan" EVA training: In a special simulator to practice with the "Orlan" spacesuit to phase in free space from the Russian airlock of the International Space Station. The ‘Orlan’ could also use the American airlock “Quest” at the ISS.

  
  

• Space Suit "Orlan" EVA training in the underwater tank: In Star City is a huge water tank. Here you can train an entire EVA from the space station under weightless conditions on ISS station mockups that have been lowered to the bottom of the huge Hydrolab. The water temperature is 29 degrees Celsius and you will be accompanied by Scuba Divers and instructors. This training takes care setting with preparations for half a day and you need a PADI license and a special preliminary examination by your doctor.
  
  Training times and prices please contact us on request.

Space System 'Soyuz' Training

Currently, the Russian Soyuz rocket with its Soyuz spacecraft is the only real existing possibility of transportation for humans to the International Space Station. Originally designed from the Russian brilliant engineer Sergey Korolyov for the Soviet lunar flight developed the spacecraft and the launch rocket "Soyuz" in recent decades has been modified.

Meanwhile, the current configuration of digitally controlled and is called "Soyuz TMA-M" (M = modified). The Soyuz spaceship can transport 3 astronauts and consists of three different systems: the power supply system which includes the drive and the vital systems of the spacecraft. The "Descent & Transport Module", which is the domicile of the astronauts during launch, flight and landing, even Soyuz controlled here. Finally, on the "Descent & Transport Module" is a "habitat" module, which also houses the famous space toilet. The Soyuz system is designed to operate on 14-day fully autonomous in orbit, space station or to transport crews to the ISS, while max. to stay 210 days in space.

The Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center provides all the training units of the Soyuz spacecraft, so the astronauts on all points of their special mission trip can be prepared for their space mission. You can workout at the GCTC spaceship Soyuz.

• Soyuz TMA-simulator TMA-Simulator/Don Soyuz (Docking) simulator: You will be familiarized with the system and train in the Soyuz Sokol pressure suits the different mission areas with a special trainer. Launch and docking and re-entry can be trained at various training modules. Not always an easy job to do, your instructors will give you also some "off nominal" situations such as: the automatic docking system failed and you have to manually dock with the International Space Station! You move at a speed of 28.000 km/h in an orbit around the earth and you must be approaching with slightly higher speed bumps on the ISS as well, if you go too fast, slow down. You'll be glad when you are successfully docked with the ISS, and you'll be sweaty!
  
  Prices and training hours are available upon request.

International Space Station 'ISS System Training'

The first modules of the International Space Station were brought into space in 1998. And before the first crews could live on the ISS permanently, the Russian modules “Zarya” and “Zvesda” were docked in orbit and mounted with the US module “Unity”. The International Space Station ISS is now since 31 October 2000 continuously manned.

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center are the 1:1 model of the Russian core module "Zarya" and "Zvesda", which have also been extended to the Russian EVA-module "Pirs". The modules are fully functional in their systems. If you seal it appropriately, you could be transported into space. Thus, offer excellent opportunities for various operations on the ground with future crews to simulate and to train. Is it now the normal routine activities of daily living (including the transition to the world famous "space toilet”, storage of supplies that were delivered in the past by the American space shuttle.

Today it is the supply with the Russian "Progress" space shuttles as well as with the European supply spacecraft "ATV" (Automatic Transfer Vehicle) or the Japanese "HTV" (Heavy Transfer Vehicle) instead.

These modules are also available in non-training times to interested parties to show it and make it understandable, what does it mean, “Life in outer space aboard a space station”. Group sizes up to 6 people can here train the procedures onboard the space station and do special training activities. Also be practiced emergency situations such as for example fire on board (which would represent the worst possible disaster in space) or the failure of vital systems, such as oxygen supply, water supply, or simply the energy supply.

These courses are ideal for incentives and team trainings. Here you can directly train with the instructors to act as a team, because: Space is teamwork. Without the interaction within the team for each mission is doomed to fail!

• International Space Station Russian Segment Simulator: You are familiar with the systems of the International Space Station and train in simulations of all possible sequences of the daily routine everyday life in space. Or, if you want more action, you will learn to fight fires on board a space station or to cope with other emergencies. You learn the normally fully automatic operating spacecraft "Progress" to dock manually via the remote control to the ISS and learn the special ways to communicate with the ground station. Life aboard a space station is similar in many ways a normal life but not in many ways!
  
  Especially for team training and coaching our special programs are on the topic “International Space Station System Training”.
  
  Specific questions about potential using, times and prices: please contact us.

The training facilities at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center are also particularly useful for future space tourists who want to start with an existing future suborbital spacecrafts toward outer space.

And of course, the attractions of the GCTC are for visitors groups available, or special company events, or events such as kick-off meetings, incentives and management coaching.

Space Travellers has conducted in the past 12 years some very special events in Star City and the GCTC, and with our specially on company events focused product line, "SPACE CONNECT" you are in the experienced hands of thoroughbred professionals, who for 12 years focuses on space in any way!

We look forward to your mission! Challenge us!