Returning to Flight : Simulation-Based Training for the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Space Shuttle Mission Management Team

Following the tragic loss of Columbia in early 2003, executives at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration implemented a simulation-based training program to facilitate the development of the Space Shuttle Mission Management Team (MMT). This article discusses the findings from an evaluation of two multi-day simulation training events. The results of both evaluations suggested that MMT members: (1) possessed shared beliefs in their joint capabilities to execute their core competencies' (2) were motivated and ready for their Return to Flight mission' (3) achieved targeted levels of team performance during the simulations' and (4) were both satisfied with the training program and found it useful for facilitating performance improvements. This note concludes with a discussion of lessons learned