NASTAR Center Completes First FAA Safety Approval Audit – Space Training Simulator Centrifuge
The NASTAR Center, the premier commercial aerospace training and research center, completed its first annual FAA Safety Approval audit and inspection for the continued use of the Space Training Simulator centrifuge for its Space Training Programs. The audit continues NASTAR Center’s FAA Safety Approval for another year.
The NASTAR Center’s FAA Safety Approval (SA 10-001), first issued April 7, 2010, was the first approval of its kind granted by the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA AST) to provide Spaceflight Training. The FAA granted Approval SA 10-001 for an initial 5-year period, subject to periodic audits and this was NASTAR Center’s first audit. The successful audit signifies that NASTAR Center can offer training using the STS-400 to prospective launch operators to meet the Crew Qualification and Training Requirements of 14 CFR 460.5.
Representatives from FAA AST, Washington, DC, conducted the audit. The audit consisted of a review of conformance to the terms of the Safety Approval as well as a review of the STS-400, including operating and safety procedures, operation and maintenance manuals, and inspection and maintenance documentation. Additionally, the use of the STS-400 in the NASTAR Center space training programs was reviewed and several training profiles were observed.
“We are pioneering the path that will enable other commercial space companies to easily and efficiently receive Safety Approvals and pass audits from the FAA AST,” said Brienna Henwood, Director of Space Training and Research at The NASTAR Center. “I am proud to have such a great relationship with the FAA and a wonderful team at NASTAR Center that supports, facilitates, and encourages our ongoing commercial space training efforts.”
NASTAR Center’s Aviation and Space Programs and Educational Outreach programs provide a continuum of education from first grade to professional space pilots. Students, teachers, researchers, and space participants have been among the trainees taught at the NASTAR Center. To learn more about available programs or to schedule a visit of the facility, please go to www.nastarcenter.com or call 1(866) 482-0933.
About NASTAR Center
The National AeroSpace Training And Research (NASTAR(R)) Center is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Environmental Tectonics Corporation. The NASTAR Center is a state-of-the-art aerospace training, research, and educational facility dedicated in improving the health and safety of humans in extreme conditions. NASTAR Center serves military aviation (fixed and rotary wing), civil aviation (fixed and rotary wing), space travel (government and private) and provides research support for component and human factors testing. www.nastarcenter.com
Environmental Tectonics Corporation was incorporated in 1969 in Pennsylvania, USA. For over forty years, we have provided our customers with products, service and support. Innovation, continuous technological improvement and enhancement, and product quality are core values and critical to our success. We operate in two business segments – Training Services Group (“TSG”) and Control Systems Group (“CSG”). Our core technologies in TSG include the design, manufacture and sale of training services which includes (1) software driven products and services used to create and monitor the physiological effects of flight; (2) high performance jet tactical flight simulation, and; (3) driving and disaster simulation systems, and in CSG include: (1) steam and gas sterilization; (2) testing and simulation devices for the automotive industry, and; (3) hyperbaric and hypobaric chambers. Product categories included in TSG are Authentic Tactical Fighting Systems (ATFS), Aircrew Training Systems (ATS) and disaster management systems (ADMS). CSG includes sterilizers, environmental control devices and hypo/hyperbaric chambers along with parts and service support.
