Medical Mission Control Planning and Operations for a Manned Stratospheric Flight Test Program

TLDR: The integrated medical mission control team provided MCC with critical information and maintained the field medical teams’ situational awareness and the team was able to address several operational issues in real time.

Abstract: Introduction: In any complex flight program, a mission control is necessary to coordinate all the subsystems to meet mission objectives and ensure crew safety. The Red Bull Stratos Mission Control Center (MCC) evolved over time to serve this function. A medical representative in MCC served the traditional role of providing real-time medical input to the mission director and was supported by a medical back room. This article will describe medical mission control planning and operations for Red Bull Stratos and discuss lessons learned. Methods: The medical mission control team consisted of several physicians and a ventilator engineer in the MCC and medical back room. Video downlinks provided status of the test parachutist and life support systems. GPS coordinates were also displayed in real time for tracking. Communication panels enabled two-way communications between MCC and the back room, while the back room communicated with the field medical teams primarily using text messaging. A number of protocols for nominal and contingency medical operations were developed. Results: The integrated medical mission control team provided MCC with critical information and maintained the field medical teams’ situational awareness. The team was able to address several operational issues in real time. Discussion: A coordinated medical mission control team was invaluable. Lessons learned included the need for careful risk analysis and response planning, pre-coordination, and adaptability. The Red Bull Stratos medical mission control concept of operations can be used as a model for future commercial spaceflight or high altitude programs.