"Astronauts For Hire" Members Complete PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Training

Six members of Astronauts for Hire (A4H) completed inaugural PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut training program held at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. End Quote

The A4H members who graduated from the program offered valuable operational insights that helped refine the curriculum for this new training program

(1888PressRelease) March 18, 2015 - Titusville, Florida - Astronauts for Hire (A4H) would like to congratulate six of its members for completing the inaugural PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Qualification Program that was held from February 7-10, 2015 at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Project PoSSUM announced today that all graduation requirements for these candidates have been met. These members include:

These members include:

Pete Freeland of Redondo Beach, CA
Jamie Guined of Houston, TX
Heidi Hammerstein of Pembroke, GA
Dr. Paul McCall of Hollywood, FL
Jonna Ocampo of Kapolei, HI
Jeffrey Scallon of Tampa, FL

"The A4H members who graduated from the program offered valuable operational insights that helped refine the curriculum for this new program," said Project PoSSUM Principal Investigator Dr. Jason Reimuller. "We are committed to provide opportunities where our graduates may conduct valuable scientific research on commercial spacecraft."

The PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut program is a four-day program designed in part by former NASA astronaut instructors to prepare scientists for potential missions through Project PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere). This project uses commercial suborbital spacecraft and high-altitude manned balloons to study rare noctilucent clouds that can help scientists address critical questions about the Earth's climate. It evolved from the "Noctilucent Cloud Imagery and Tomography Experiment," selected by NASA's Flight Opportunities Program in March 2012 as experiment 46-S.

Students in the program learned about upper-atmospheric science while participating in realistic mission simulations developed in partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The simulations trained the candidates to effectively use PoSSUM imager systems to study noctilucent clouds during suborbital flight. In addition, candidates received comprehensive training in spacesuit operation, high-altitude and hypoxia awareness, and aerospace physiology.

"I feel very fortunate to be part of such a special opportunity," remarked PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut candidate Pete Freeland. "This is an exciting time to be involved in spaceflight, and I am honored to help make a difference in our world through this groundbreaking research."

 The next PoSSUM scientist-astronaut class will occur at Embry-Riddle from October 10-14, 2015. Online applications are at www.projectpossum.org/register.

About Astronauts for Hire:
Astronauts for Hire, Inc. (A4H) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides opportunities for students and professionals to develop and refine the skills necessary to become commercial astronauts and to assist these qualified candidates with networking opportunities in the space research community. A4H's commercial astronaut candidates are accomplished scientists and engineers who can support a wide variety of payloads. They are available today for contract and consulting work with researchers to design and conduct experiments on microgravity, suborbital, and orbital missions. For more information, please visit http://www.astronauts4hire.org or contact Pete Freeland at media ( @ ) astronauts4hire dot org or at (323) 202-0607 dot

About Project PoSSUM:
Project PoSSUM is a pending 501(c)(3) suborbital research project that uses commercial space vehicles to study the upper atmosphere. PoSSUM develops, tests, and integrates space hardware for use on commercial space vehicles and organizes deployments of spacecraft for space research campaigns. PoSSUM also engages the public directly through its Scientist-Astronaut program, administered by PoSSUM team scientists through the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Floria. PoSSUM is managed by Integrated Spaceflight Services (www.integratedspaceflight.com). To learn more about Project PoSSUM, visit www.projectpossum.org.

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