Decisions, Decisions

Life or Death Decisions at Mach 25

By Rick Searfoss

Astronauts work in one of the most dynamic environments possible. During thousands of hours of intense emergency training to fly the Space Shuttle, constant prioritization and rapid decision-making become ingrained.

A hydraulic leak, split-second decisions

Good thing, because sometimes during missions the emergencies are for real! During the launch of the STS-76 mission on Atlantis, we encountered a massive hydraulic leak that required me as the pilot to make critical split-second decisions to secure the system. Working with Mission Control, we then developed a plan to safely operate the remaining hydraulic systems for re-entry, perhaps the most critical Space Shuttle reentry ever, where incorrect decisions could have meant the loss of a $2 billion spacecraft and five lives.

The complexities of a spacecraft

Years ago I developed a process I call PAPA – Preparation, Awareness, Persistence, and Accountability – to give me focus for dynamic decision-making. The foundation for making wise decisions is always a solid knowledge base and experience, in this case my many years as a fighter pilot and test pilot, coupled with the most intense crew training imaginable. Only with no-stone-unturned Preparation, whether managing the complexities of a spacecraft with over two million parts or a modern, complex organization, will a leader have sufficient Awareness to rapidly yet effectively analyze every nuance of potential actions.

Embracing accountability

Coupled with Persistence not only in the heat of battle but during all the preparatory phases, one develops the keen analytical capabilities to properly assess the situation – threats, opportunities, ramifications – and make correct choices. Embracing Accountability for your decisions closes the loop and is absolutely fundamental to long-term success and improvement.

Returning to Earth safely

In this case, in consideration of the physical system and the human factors of performing multiple, potentially life-or-death actions while undergoing the physiological stresses of returning to gravity wearing a cumbersome pressure suit, we jointly decided on a specific plan for me to execute. The plan worked and the degraded systems returned us to Earth safely. While decisions I make these days aren’t typically of such life-or-death import, when coupled with the post-decision approach General George Patton championed: “After you make a decision, do it like hell,” the PAPA model has served me well!

About the Author:

Astronaut Rick Searfoss, Colonel, USAF Retired, piloted two space missions and commanded a third. A leader in both government and private sectors, he now consults for leading-edge entrepreneurial space ventures, including serving as Chief Judge for the Ansari X Prize and test pilot for the XCOR Aerospace EZ Rocket technology demonstrator. He is also a noted professional speaker, focusing on leadership, teamwork, and innovation.