Purpose
The purpose of the SSMTF is to provide flight crew interfaces to train flight crew members, controllers and instructors on the International Space Station operations, crew systems, maintenance and crew health care. This facility is also used to develop and validate operating procedures.

Description
In keeping with its purpose, this facility provides the environments, the people and the programs that are required to achieve as much realism as possible to match conditions that will be experienced upon the orbiting Space Station. Through effective crew training, hardware evaluation and procedure validation at one-g, the facility strives to ensure maximum safety and mission success on orbit.

Mockups & Trainers
To meet the many requirements of the crews, engineers and scientists, the facility provides simulated work and living spaces, equipped with hardware and systems of varying degrees of realism. This realism, termed fidelity, ranges from cardboard facades with instrument panels drawn in, to fully operational flight-like equipment panels and systems suitable for real-time simulation exercises.

U.S. Lab (Destiny) Mockup – This mockup has high-fidelity components and is the primary training module for ISS expedition crews. It consists of three cylindrical sections and two endcones with hatches. A 50.9-centimeter (20-inch) diameter window is located in the deck of the mockup. The mockup contains six high-fidelity training racks, active camera/video, audio, and caution and warning systems and light weight hatches.

Type of training supported – audio system, photo/TV, crew health, station systems, in-flight maintenance, and emergency procedures.

Node 1 (Unity) Mockup - This is a high-fidelity mock-up consisting of Zero-G stowage racks, light weight hatches, emergency equipment, lights, and non-functional power and cooling systems.

Type of training supported – Node 1 systems, stowage, berthing camera system, in-flight maintenance, and emergency procedures.

Joint Airlock (Quest) Mockup – This high-fidelity mockup consists of functional and simulated components including battery chargers, MetOx C02 scrubbing cartridges, lights, and the EVA audio system.

Type of training supported – pre-/post- EVA activities, audio system, and extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) training.

Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Mockup – A high-fidelity mockup containing resupply racks and rack attachment points.

Type of training supported - rack translation and installation training, stowage, and systems.

Functional Cargo Block (FGB) (Zarya – “sunrise”) Mockup - medium-fidelity mockup consisting of accurate stowage volumes and functional handrails. Other crew interfaces are portrayed by simple low fidelity mockups or photos.

Type of training supported – stowage, photo/TV, emergency procedures, and routine operations.

Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) (Kibo - "hope") Mockup – low-fidelity mockup of the Japanese research module. Consists of facades of system/experiment racks and an active audio unit. (High fidelity JEM training is conducted in Japan .)

Type of training supported – audio system, familiarization of station layout, education outreach.