Duties and Responsibilities:

Commands space shuttle missions. Responsible for execution of missions, their rules and control directives. Assesses problems and implements deviations from flight plan, procedures, or personnel assignments in the interest of safety or mission accomplishment.

Pilots space shuttle. Operates all shuttle vehicle systems through ascent, on-orbit, reentry, and landing phases of flight. Maneuvers shuttle vehicle to establish mission attitudes or orbital parameters.

Operates shuttle systems. Serves as integral part of onboard flight operations during ascent, on-orbit, and entry flight phases. Operates and reconfigures orbiter systems during flight phases. Maintains detailed understanding of orbiter systems including nominal and malfunction procedures, and a complete understanding of the impact to mission accomplishment. Communicates with mission control center to exchange direction and information.

Operates shuttle payloads. Operates payloads carried aboard shuttle vehicle. Operates remote manipulator system to deploy payloads. Monitors payload shuttle interface. Performs extra-vehicular activity to accomplish repair, refurbishment, or inspection of satellites on orbit in payload bay.

Provides space flight consultation. Assists in formulating operational policies for space shuttle employment. Provides crew inputs for developmental engineering and mission planning. Participates in developing training equipment and simulating facilities.

Maintains flight proficiency. Serves as a crew member aboard National Aeronautics and Space Administration aircraft to remain proficient in aspects of aircraft operations, including flight planning, communications, nominal and emergency checklist procedures, actual aircraft control, and flight crew coordination.

Specialty Qualifications:

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of space shuttle vehicle flight operation, space shuttle systems operation, lifting body aerodynamics, solid and liquid rocket performance, crew support systems, space navigation, orbital mechanics, computer programs, extra-vehicular activity, and electronic, infrared, and optical sensor operations.

Education. For entry into this specialty, undergraduate academic specialization in an appropriate field of engineering, physical science, life science, or mathematics is mandatory.

Training. None.

Experience. For award of AFSC 13A3X, the following experience is mandatory (individual’s unit commander determines proficiency):

Minimum of 1 year experience in space transport systems after completing astronaut candidate training. Six months of experience must be directly flight related.

Proficiency in operating space shuttle vehicle.

Proficiency with in-flight procedures, mission rules, space shuttle maneuvers, crew support systems, and communications.

Proficiency as an aircrew member in high performance fixed-wing aircraft.