From the 18th to the 19th of July 2026 the OEWF Analog Astronaut Trainees, with the support of the Ground Operations Support Team (GOST) and a student from BG/BRG Sillgasse who volunteered to take part, demonstrated their expertise during the 4^th training session – an outdoor training exercise involving an overnight stay in tents in the Ehnbachklamm gorge. During the session, the group completed an adventurous first-aid training course in the field, undertook a search and rescue exercise, and attempted to establish an internet connection in the gorge.

After setting off at 8 o’clock from the OEWF office on Etrichgasse in Innsbruck, we arrived at the parking area “Parkplatz Zirk” in Zirl. From there we entered the gorge on foot. A brief refresher session on first aid took place upon arrival at the campsite. We were shown the key techniques for carrying injured people during dangerous rescue operations by a mountain rescuer. Afterwards a part of the group returned to the parking area while using the techniques shown earlier. We carried each other a part of the way down the gorge.

In preparation for the second item on the agenda we transported the technical supplies from the parking area to the main camp to set up an internet connection from inside the gorge. Via constant radio communication, three teams took up strategic positions within the gorge to gain access to a good internet connection with the outside world. Three long hours later, the attempt to maintain a good internet connection to the outside world was abandoned due to an incorrect adapter and technical problems with the software. Fortunately, we were able to establish a local connection, which was a partial success.
When we returned to main camp, after deconstructing and transporting the technical gear back to the parking lot, we were confronted with the situation that one of us had gone missing, possibly with an injury and without any way to establish contact. This marked the beginning of the Search & Rescue mission. After about 20 minutes, the person was located and treated with first aid, before being carried back to camp. The debriefing of the mission was followed by an intense downpour and then the evening program, which was a more civil part of the training exercise.

The next day started at 6 o’clock with packing up the tents and cleaning the area. At 7 a.m., we set off. Shortly afterwards, we stopped off at the “Bäcker Ruetz” bakery in Kematen for a delicious breakfast.

During this field trip, the two groups successfully demonstrated their skills in medical training but also learnt that a single wrong or faulty component can hinder the successful establishment of a Wi-Fi connection and thus delay completion by several hours. Looking ahead, this could cause an unfortunate delay of the schedule or even endanger the entire mission on Mars.

Author: Sebastian Krainz

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