The crew is the most vital element in any mission. In order for the officers on board to perform at their best they must be allowed to carry out as normal a routine as possible. Basic needs such as food, oxygen, sleep, and companionship must be provided. 

CREW SUPPORT 

The one key element essential to the success of every Lightcraft mission is the crew. These 12 men and women have been chosen for their knowledge and abilities to support specialized Lightcraft missions. The crew is number 1 on the priority list at all times. The  nature of these missions can create stress for the 12 officers on board the Lightcraft. The crew must give 100% in all situations, even in times of disaster or extreme danger. For this reason, human factors and ergonomics have top priority. The crew must live comfortably and work within this small volume at top efficiency without interfering with one another. The crew positions require individuals with special training. The personnel on board the craft include pilots, communications officers, engineers, and mission specialists. Along with these officers who are focused on the mission and Lightcraft maintenance are individuals who are focused on the crew. One of these people is the medical officer. This officer is a skilled surgeon as well as a general practitioner. A counselor is also available for the crew. This individual is a trained psychiatrist/psychologist who knows the details of the mission and has the foresight to anticipate the problems that may trouble the crew. The missions can be highly stressful, crewmembers will need a release. This release is provided by having someone to talk to. Along with specialized crewmembers, lounges are provided for the crew to relax and socialize in. They can eat and spend time together, or find a quiet spot to be alone, perhaps for virtual reality diversions. 

MEDICAL SYSTEMS 

The medical area is two small rooms near the center of the ship. The inner room is the operating or examination room while the outer room is the doctor's office. The examination room contains a few special beds that can be used either as examining tables or sleeping quarters for injured personnel. The on-board computer assists the doctor and a mechanical arm is used as an assistant in emergency surgeries. This arm is connected to the computer and is equipped with sensors so that it knows what to do without explanations from the medical officer. The ship is also equipped with body-scan equipment that examines the wounded area and reads out its results onto a computer console. This magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment takes advantage of the Lightcraft's 1-2 Tesla field produced by its superconducting magnets. The medical facility also contains a variety of different drugs and vaccinations that may be required throughout the mission. Special equipment such as molding splints is also used. These braces use sensors and the lab computer to conform to a broken limb and set it as a cast would. The medical facility is designed to handle several simultaneous, time and resources are limited on these  missions. If the crewmember needs major surgery or reconstruction work, but is stabilized and is not in danger of getting worse, that person is placed on life support systems within an escape pod. The computer continually monitors the individual and keeps the doctor informed of the situation. The person is then transported to a hospital at the earliest possible moment. 

CREW QUARTERS SYSTEM 

The Lightcraft is equipped with individual quarters for all 12 crewmembers. Each room is set up so as to accommodate the crew's sleeping needs, regardless of the endo-atmospheric or space environment during the mission. Each room is equipped with a lightweight, inflatable futon or bed, which folds out from the wall. When not in use, it is stored in a vertical position, latched to the wall. The bed can be deployed 2 different orientations, depending on whether it is being used on Earth or in zero-gravity space flight. During space flight, the bed functions in a vertical or upright position, and is equipped with a cushioned sleeping satchel. The person simply climbs inside the satchel and zips the bag closed. The crewmember is then strapped back against the wall to prevent movement during flight in the 1/5th Gravitational gravity environment. When traveling on Earth, the bed can be folded down from the wall into a horizontal position. 

FOOD REHYDRATION UNIT 

As with all life forms, humans must remain in top physical shape to perform at their best. In order to do this they must receive three square meals a day. Life is no different aboard the Lightcraft. On board they can select from a variety of dehydrated foods. These foods are packaged to minimize their launch mass. The rehydration of food is accomplished using the purified and deionized water that is stored on the ship. The food is available in the main cabin area. The diner chooses a meal from storage bins on the wall and inserts the package into a rehydration terminal. After the crewmember enters the food category into the console, the computer automatically injects the appropriate amount of water at the right temperature and bakes or cools it as necessary. All the food is fortified with the vitamins and minerals needed to keep the crew healthy. Requests are solicited from the crew before mission begins to determine what types of food should be brought aboard. Space is limited, but great pains are taken to accommodate some of the crew's favorites. Snacks are also available to the crew, but like any other  mission, the selections are limited to those that will provide nutritious and balanced meals. 

HIGH-QUALITY VR ENVIRONMENT 

One of the most advanced features of the Lightcraft is the way it incorporates a high-quality virtual-reality (VR) environment into its everyday operations. Any crewmember can access the virtual-reality system through the Ultra-G eyewear and suit issued to them. The virtual-reality system serves various purposes. It allows communication between individuals and the ship during times when the suit is being worn. Authorized personnel are able to control the ship in the virtual-reality mode since the ship's computers are linked directly into the system. Training exercises are also performed with the help of virtual-reality. All  personnel are required to perform training exercises during long missions. This system is also used for relaxation during extended missions. In order to enter a virtual-reality system, a crewmember must put on the Ultra-G suit and goggles. It is through the goggles that the eyes will see the virtual-reality world. The suit is covered with tiny sensors so as to allow the user to feel everything in the virtual-reality world. Once the suit is on, voice activation or a control panel located on the wrist will activate the system. Once inside, a variety of programs will be available to the user. In order to operate the ship from the virtual reality world (i.e. emergency situations), proper authorization must be granted. All other unauthorized personnel are locked out from this program. 

LIFE SUPPORT OPTIONS 

Of all the major systems on board the Lightcraft, the life support systems are among the most important. The loss of these systems could result in the loss of the entire crew, and with them, the mission. For this reason, several options for life support systems are available. In the main cabin of the Lightcraft and in the mag-lev landers, the crew breathe an oxygen-helium mixture known as heliox. This mixture replaces the normal nitrogen component (i.e. the normal dilutent) in air with helium. Within the escape pods the crewmembers are given a choice of breathing apparatus. If very high accelerations are not required the high-pressure heliox breathing system can be used. Otherwise partial liquid ventilation is mandatory for the protection of individuals. Partial liquid ventilation fills only the deepest sections of the lungs with liquid. The rest is filled with heliox. Breathing heliox in this manner requires the assistance of a respiratory unit. This unit senses when the body wants to inhale and exhale and provides help. The crewmembers have two choices of ventilation systems. The most commonly selected method requires 2 tubes to be inserted into the nasal cavity, down the back of the throat, between the vocal chords, and into the lungs. The second option involves the surgical implant of removable connections for the liquid breathing tubes. The tubes may be placed into the trachea, just below the vocal chords, and then slid into the lungs. This option keeps the face free of tubes and offers the most mobility of the head. The advantage of retaining the ability of verbal communication can also be found with this option. With the first option VR goggles are the only mode of communication. 

ULTRA-G PERSONAL PROTECTION SYSTEM 

The revolutionary ultra-G space suit is the body protection required for all  personnel aboard the Lightcraft. This suit is to be used when traveling at high speeds as well as for any short-term space activity. It has a skin-tight flexible scuba diver's pullover headgear that is microwave reflective. The gear also contains virtual reality goggles with direct retinal projection by LEDs for both communication and relaxation purposes for extended missions. The goggles are designed to "fog" when hit by a laser beam to protect the eyes from damage. The suit is also equipped with microwave reflecting form-fitting integral boots. A microwave-reflecting grid is provided for the mouth, nasal, and ear cavities. Optional equipment includes a collar designed to accommodate a fish-bowl helmet. An optional maglev belt with a flexible battery pack is also available for special missions. The suit itself is made of a skin-tight, spandex-type microwave-reflecting material. The standard-issue suit has a liquid-filled liner that inflates against the armor of the MIRV escape pod so as to leave no voids. This procedure, along with liquid ventilation, enables the occupant to withstand high accelerations. All  personnel assigned to the Lightcraft will be equipped with a custom-fit suit. It is to be worn at all times unless authorized to do otherwise. 

LIGHTCRAFT BOARDING OPTIONS 

CUSTOM CREW-TAILORED POD ENVIRONMENT 

The interior of a MIRV escape pod is custom-fit to each individual. The pod is lined with a form-fitted rigid and lightweight shell with a liquid inflated cushion that outlines a specific body. This liquid cushioning layer is roughly 1-cm thick and assists in minimizing damages to the human body during ultra high-G maneuvers. The lining shapes itself around each body therefore making the escape pods universal in their use. The lining provides a cushioning as well as support for the human body. Also the 1-cm of liquid provides adequate protection against the soft radiation released when the Lightcraft disables its space "plasma shield." If the need arises,  personnel are able to remain within the escape pods for periods of up to 1 hour. The virtual-reality system in combination with the inner lining provides for comfortable extended missions. The pod has a temperature control to accommodate the desires of the human being inside of it. The virtual-reality system allows each person to adjust complete environment of his/her own pod. A latch is provided on the inside for manual opening of the pod's hatch. It can also be opened through voice control. The Lightcraft's escape pod is designed to accommodate individuals ranging from 5- foot 1-inch to 5-foot 4-inch only