CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons trains with the Royal Canadian Air Force
During her training, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jenni Gibbons participated in a real-world medical evacuation of a patient from a cruise ship and observed first-hand the work of aircrew and technicians as they delivered in-flight medical care. She also helped monitor the patient's vitals under the close supervision of a search and rescue technician (SARTECH). (Credit: 19 Wing Imaging)
From to , CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons trained alongside SARTECHs and aircrew at the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron at 19 Wing Comox on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Jenni is the backup to CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen for the Artemis II mission. In , she had also taken part in helicopter training at 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School.
CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons practises inserting an IV on a SARTECH during in-flight training with 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron aboard a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter. The close quarters of the helicopter mimics the conditions of a spacecraft. (Credit: Aviator Zhi Sheng Lin, Canadian Armed Forces)
Astronauts receive in-depth first responder training in mostly static or clinical settings. While this is an excellent foundation, the realism of operating in the dynamic, cramped, and difficult conditions of a helicopter make it a valuable training platform for astronauts.
The RCAF training took place in a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and allowed Jenni to operate complex medical equipment, while managing multiple tasks and delivering life-saving care in extreme conditions.
CSA astronaut Jenni Gibbons helps unload equipment from a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter while training with the SARTECHs of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Comox, British Columbia. Credit: S1 Brendan Gibson, Canadian Armed Forces
The Artemis campaign's objectives are to eventually return astronauts to the surface of the Moon and sustain a presence there. In light of this goal, Jenni's training included flying the CH 149 in challenging vertical terrain, in the mountains and over water. This simulates what it will be like to land on the Moon during future missions. Helicopters have been integrated into astronaut training at NASA for several years for this purpose.
The long-standing partnership between the RCAF and the CSA underscores Canada's dedication to equipping our astronauts with skills that will be essential for the future of space exploration, including missions to the Moon and beyond.