|
Flight controller: a space flight control room position at NASA's Mission Control Center. Flight controllers sit at computer consoles and use telemetry to monitor in real time various technical aspects of a manned space mission. Each controller is an expert in a specific area, and is in constant communication with additional experts in the "back room". The Flight Director is the lead flight controller, monitors the activities of others and has overall responsibility for the mission success and safety. NASA logo Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from an article revision dated 2005-09-01, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ...
Mission Control Center (MCC) is a unit that manages aerospace flights. ...
Telemetry is a technology which allows the remote measurement and reporting of information of interest to the system designer or operator. ...
The room where the flight controllers work was called the Mission Operations Control Room (MOCR), and now is called the Flight Control Room (FCR). The "back room" was called the Staff Support Room (SSR), and is now called the Multi-Purpose Support Room (MPSR).
Unmanned U.S. space missions also have flight controllers but are managed from a separate organization, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Unmanned space missions are those using remote-controlled spacecraft. ...
The Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), in La Cañada Flintridge, near Pasadena, California, USA, builds and operates unmanned spacecraft for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ...
Each flight controller has a unique call sign, which describes the position responsibilities. The call sign and responsibility can also refer to the particular console, not just the person, since missions are managed around the clock and with each shift change a different person takes over the console. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
Flight controller responsibilities have changed over time, and continue to evolve. New controllers are added, and tasks are reassigned to other controllers to keep up with changing technical systems. For example the EECOM handled Command and Service Module communication systems though Apollo 10, which was afterward assigned to a new position called INCO. The Command/Service Module (CSM) was a spacecraft built for NASA by North American Aviation. ...
Apollo 10 was the fourth manned mission in the Apollo program, and the first (and only manned Saturn V) mission to launch from pad 39B. The mission included the second crew to orbit the Moon, and the test of the lunar module in lunar orbit. ...
Flight controllers have tremendous responsibility and often must quickly make life-or-death decisions. Examples:
- During the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Lunar Module guidance computer began giving errors which threatened to abort the landing. Guidance officer Steve Bales had only a few seconds to determine it was safe to proceed, which saved the mission. Bales was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his role.
- During the launch of Apollo 12, the Saturn V was struck by lightning which knocked out all telemetry and the Apollo guidance unit. This would probably have aborted the mission, except EECOM controller John Aaron quickly determined that an obscure cockpit switch could fix the problem.
- During space shuttle mission STS-51-F, a main engine failed during ascent to orbit. A second engine began showing signs of failing. If it failed it would cause an emergency landing in Spain, or possibly could cause the shuttle to ditch in the ocean. Booster officer Jenny Howard Stein determined within seconds it was an incorrect sensor and not an engine problem. At her direction the crew inhibited the sensor, which saved the mission and possibly the crew.
Apollo 11 was an American space mission, part of the Apollo program and the first manned mission to land on the Moon. ...
Description Role: Lunar landing Crew: 2; CDR, LM pilot Dimensions Height: 20. ...
The Presidential Medal of Freedom The Presidential Medal of Freedom is one of the two highest civilian awards in the United States, considered the equivalent of the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. ...
Apollo 12 was the sixth manned mission in the Apollo program and the second to land on the Moon. ...
This article is about the rocket. ...
Telemetry is a technology which allows the remote measurement and reporting of information of interest to the system designer or operator. ...
 John W. Aaron is a former NASA engineer and mission controller during the Apollo program. ...
STS-51-F (Spacelab 2) was the nineteenth flight of a Space Shuttle and the eighth flight of Challenger. ...
Space Shuttle Main Engine cluster The Space Shuttle orbiter has three main engines (SSMEs). ...
// Ascent abort modes There are five abort modes available during ascent, plus pad aborts. ...
Other flight controller definitions - An FAA person who directs air traffic
- A computer joystick used for aircraft simuation games
- A joystick used to control an aircraft
FAA may refer to: Federal Aviation Administration in the United States Fleet Air Arm in the UK Royal Navy Fuerza Aérea Argentina in Argentina This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...
For other uses, see Joystick (disambiguation). ...
For other uses, see Joystick (disambiguation). ...
Flight control positions
Flight Director (FLIGHT) (Call sign: FLIGHT), is Chief of Flight Operations and leads the flight control team. "Flight" has overall operational responsiblity for space shuttle missions and payload operations and for all decisions regarding safe, expedient flight. He monitors the other flight controllers, who are in constant verbal communication with him through intercom "loops". Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
Electrical, Environmental and Consumables Manager (EECOM) (Call sign: EECOM) is a space flight control room position at NASA's Mission Control Center. The EECOM controller monitors cryogenic levels for fuel cells, avionics and cabin cooling systems, electrical distribution systems, cabin pressure control systems and vehicle lighting systems. NASA logo Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from an article revision dated 2005-09-01, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ...
Mission Control Center (MCC) is a unit that manages aerospace flights. ...
Cryogenics is the study of very low temperatures or the production of the same, and is often confused with cryobiology, the study of the effect of low temperatures on organisms, or the study of cryopreservation. ...
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device similar to a battery, but differing from the latter in that it is designed for continuous replenishment of the reactants consumed; i. ...
The onboard electronics used for piloting an aircraft are called avionics (AVI-ation electr-ONICS). ...
Historically, the EECOM controller is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the spacecraft electrical and life-support systems. For the Space Shuttle Program, the EECOM is responsible for the life support and thermal systems, a breathable atmosphere and vehicle cooling. The complexity of the Space Shuttle created two new flight control positions, EGIL and MMACS which oversee the electrical and mechanical systems respectively, of which EECOM used to run. While many new flight controller positions have been created throughout the years, EECOM has been around since the beginning of manned spaceflight. The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ...
The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ...
EECOM originally stood for Electrical, Environmental and COMmunication systems. The Apollo EECOM was responsible for the life support systems of the Command and Service Module (CSM), and also CSM communications through Apollo 10. Afterward the communication task was moved to a new console named INCO. Apollo Program insignia Project Apollo was a series of human spaceflight missions undertaken by the United States of America using the Apollo spacecraft and Saturn launch vehicle, conducted during the years 1961–1972. ...
This article is about life support systems for outer space or underwater. ...
The Command/Service Module (CSM) was a spacecraft built for NASA by North American Aviation. ...
Apollo 10 was the fourth manned mission in the Apollo program, and the first (and only manned Saturn V) mission to launch from pad 39B. The mission included the second crew to orbit the Moon, and the test of the lunar module in lunar orbit. ...
Perhaps the most famous NASA EECOMs are Seymour "Sy" Liebergot, the EECOM on duty at the time of the oxygen tank explosion on Apollo 13 who was responsible for isolating the explosion's damage and for creating life-support solutions to bring the crew back to Earth alive, and John Aaron who is credited with discovering the fact that Apollo 12 capsule was struck by lightning shortly after liftoff and for giving the crew onboard a solution to their mechanical errors. Seymour Liebergot, in the blue shirt, in the former Mission Operations Control Room Seymour Sy Abraham Liebergot (born 15 February 1936 in Camden, New Jersey) was a NASA flight controller during Project Apollo. ...
Apollo 13 was an American space mission, part of the Apollo program. ...
 John W. Aaron is a former NASA engineer and mission controller during the Apollo program. ...
Apollo 12 was the sixth manned mission in the Apollo program and the second to land on the Moon. ...
Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Systems Engineer (GNC) (Call sign: GNC) monitors all vehicle guidance, navigation and control systems, notifies the flight director and crew of impending abort situations, and advises crew regarding guidance hardware malfunctions. Also responsible for all inertial navigational systems hardware such as star trackers, radar altimeters and the inertial measurement units; monitors radio navigation and digital autopilot hardware systems. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
Chief of Flight Operations during a NASA space mission. ...
// Ascent abort modes There are five abort modes available during ascent, plus pad aborts. ...
Guidance Procedures Officer/Rendezvous Officer (GUIDANCE) (Call sign: GUIDANCE) operational responsibility for crew procedures assistance during critical phases of ascent, entry, and rendezvous. Monitors onboard navigation and onboard guidance computer software. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
Flight Dynamics Officer (FIDO) (Call sign: FDO, pronounced "fido") responsible for the flight path of the space vehicle, both atmospheric and orbital. During lunar missions the FDO is also responsible for lunar trajectory. The FDO monitors vehicle performance during the powered flight phase and assesses abort modes, calculates orbital maneuvers and resulting trajectories, and monitors vehicle flight profile and energy levels during re-entry. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
The term orbital has several meanings: In physics and chemistry it is used to describe an atomic electron configuration, see also molecular orbital and atomic orbital. ...
A trajectory is an imagined trace of positions followed by an object moving through space. ...
// Ascent abort modes There are five abort modes available during ascent, plus pad aborts. ...
Atmospheric entry is the transition from the vacuum of space to the atmosphere of any planet or other celestial body. ...
External links
- Former FDO Roger Balettie
- Orbit/Rendezvous FDO Operational Overview
- Current FDO Chris Edelen
Booster Systems Engineer (BOOSTER) (Call sign: BOOSTER) monitors and evaluates performance of propulsion-related aspects of the launch vehicle during prelaunch and ascent, regardless of whether strap-on booster rockets are used. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
A booster in space-related applications is usually a solid rocket booster: a solid fuel rocket of which two or more are attached to the main rocket to provide the main thrust in the initial phase of the rockets flight. ...
In the U.S. Space Shuttle program, the Booster Systems Engineer monitors the space shuttle main engines, solid rocket boosters and external tank during prelaunch and ascent phases of missions. The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ...
Space Shuttle Main Engine block The Space Shuttle orbiter has three main engines. ...
The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) is the rocket that provides most of the thrust required to launch the Space Shuttle into Low Earth orbit. ...
The Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building. ...
In a space flight context, a booster can refer either to strap on booster rockets, or to the entire vehicle as it ascends under powered flight. A booster in space-related applications is usually a solid rocket booster: a solid fuel rocket of which two or more are attached to the main rocket to provide the main thrust in the initial phase of the rockets flight. ...
A booster in space-related applications is usually a solid rocket booster: a solid fuel rocket of which two or more are attached to the main rocket to provide the main thrust in the initial phase of the rockets flight. ...
Propulsion Engineer (PROP) (Call sign: PROP) manages the reaction control thrusters and orbital maneuvering engines during all phases of flight, monitors fuel usage and propellant tank status, and calculates optimal sequences for thruster firings. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
A reaction control system (abbreviated RCS) is a component of a spacecraft. ...
The Orbital Maneuvering System, or OMS, is a system of rocket engines used on the Space Shuttle for orbital injection and modifying its orbit. ...
Data Processing System Engineer (DPS) (Call sign: DPS) responsible for data processing systems in a space flight, including the onboard general purpose computers. This includes determining the data processing system status, flight-critical and launch data lines, the malfunction display system, mass memories and system-level software. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ...
The space shuttle general purpose computers are a critical subsystem, and the vehicle cannot fly without them. The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ...
Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) (Call sign: CAPCOM) generally the only person who communicates directly with a manned space crew. During much of the U.S. manned space program, NASA felt it was important for all communication with the astronauts in space to pass through a single individual in the Mission Control Center. That role was designated the capsule communicator or capcom and was typically filled by another astronaut, often one of the backup crew members. For long duration missions, there would be more than one capcom, each assigned to a different shift team. After control of U.S. spaceflights moved to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in the early 1960s, capcoms used the radio call sign Houston. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
Human spaceflight is space exploration with a human crew, and possibly passengers (in contrast to dog-manned space missions, which are remotely-controlled or robotic space probes). ...
NASA logo Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from an article revision dated 2005-09-01, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ...
U.S. Space Shuttle astronaut Bruce McCandless II using a manned maneuvering unit (MMU) outside the Challenger in 1984. ...
Mission Control Center (MCC) is a unit that manages aerospace flights. ...
An aerial view of the complete Johnson Space Center facility in Houston, Texas in 1989. ...
The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969, inclusive. ...
Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
Maintenance, Mechanical, Arm And Crew Systems (MMACS) (Call sign: MMACS, pronounced "max", formerly known as RMU) responsible for space shuttle structural and mechanical systems, including the remote manipulator system, monitoring auxiliary power units and hydraulic systems, and managing payload bay and vent door operations. MMACS also follows use of onboard crew hardware and in-flight equipment maintenance. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ...
View of the Canadarm during a Space Shuttle mission The Remote Manipulator System (RMS) on the Space Shuttle, also known as the Canadarm, is an electromechanical arm that maneuvers a payload from the payload bay of the space shuttle orbiter to its deployment position and then releases it. ...
An Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is a relatively small self-contained generator used in aircraft to start the main engines, usually with compressed air, and to provide electrical power and air conditioning while the aircraft is on the ground. ...
Hydraulics is a branch of science and engineering concerned with the use of liquids to perform mechanical tasks. ...
Instrumentation and Communications Officer (INCO) (Call sign: INCO), responsible for all space shuttle data, voice and video communications systems, including monitoring the configuration of in-flight communications and instrumentation systems. Duties also include monitoring the telemetry link between the vehicle and the ground, and overseeing the uplink command and control processes. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ...
There is also an article on the instrumentation amplifier, an integrated circuit sometimes used in measurement instruments. ...
Telemetry is a technology which allows the remote measurement and reporting of information of interest to the system designer or operator. ...
This article deals with Uplink in the telecommunications terminology. ...
Ground Controller (GC) (Call sign: GC), directs maintenance and operation activities affecting Mission Control hardware, software and support facilities; coordinates space flight tracking and data network, and Tracking and Data Relay Satellite system with Goddard Space Flight Center. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) is a network of communications satellites (each called a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite or TDRS) used by NASA and other United States government agencies. ...
Aerial view of Goddard Space Flight Center. ...
Range Safety Officer (RSO) (Call sign: RSO) has responsible for personnel safety near the flight path of the launch vehicle. Even for U.S. manned space missions, the RSO has authority to order the remote destruction of the launch vehicle if it shows signs of flying out of control. The U.S. space shuttle orbiter does not have remote destruct devices, but the solid rocket boosters (SRBs) do. During the Challenger disaster, the RSO ordered the SRBs destroyed after the vehicle broke up in flight. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ...
The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) is the rocket that provides most of the thrust required to launch the Space Shuttle into Low Earth orbit. ...
An iconic image of the disaster. ...
Retrofire Officer (RETRO) (Call sign: RETRO) monitors impact prediction displays and is responsible for determination of retrofire times. On Apollo planned and monitors Trans Earth Injection (TEI) manoeuvres, where the Apollo Service Module fired its engine to return to earth from the moon. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
A retrorocket is a rocket engine used for providing thrust to oppose the motion of a space vehicle, thereby causing deceleration of the vehicle. ...
The Command/Service Module (CSM) was a spacecraft built for NASA by North American Aviation. ...
Guidance Officer (GUIDO) (Call sign: GUIDO, pronounced "guy dough") verifies performance of inertial navigation system and onboard guidance system software. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
Flight Surgeon (SURGEON) (Call sign: SURGEON) directs all operational medical activities concerned with the mission, including the status of the flight crew. Monitors crew health, provides crew consultation, and advises flight director of the crew's health status. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
Electrical Generation and Integrated Lighting Systems Engineer (EGIL) (Call sign: EGIL) monitors cryogenic levels for the fuel cells, electrical generation and distribution systems on he spacecraft, and vehicle lighting. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
Cryogenics is the study of very low temperatures or the production of the same, and is often confused with cryobiology, the study of the effect of low temperatures on organisms, or the study of cryopreservation. ...
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device similar to a battery, but differing from the latter in that it is designed for continuous replenishment of the reactants consumed; i. ...
Telemetry, electrical, EVA Mobility Unit Officer (TELMU) (Call sign: TELMU) on Apollo lunar missions monitored the Lunar Module electrical and environmental systems, plus lunar astronaut spacesuits. Essentially the equivalent of the EECOM for the lunar module. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
Description Role: Lunar landing Crew: 2; CDR, LM pilot Dimensions Height: 20. ...
Public Affairs Officer (PAO) (Call sign: PAO) provides mission commentary to supplement and explain air-to-ground transmissions and flight control operations to the news media and the public. Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
Flight Activities Officer (FAO) (Call sign: FAO) plans and supports crew activities, checklists, procedures and schedules Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid...
See also Mission Control Center (MCC) is a unit that manages aerospace flights. ...
An aerial view of the complete Johnson Space Center facility in Houston, Texas in 1989. ...
Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center The John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the NASA space vehicle launch facility (spaceport) at Cape Canaveral on Merritt Island in Florida, United States. ...
The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ...
Description Role: Earth and Lunar Orbit Crew: 3; CDR, CM pilot, LM pilot Dimensions Height: 36. ...
Gene Kranz, uncharacteristically wearing a dark vest (courtesy of NASA) Eugene F. Gene Kranz (17 August 1933–) is a former NASA flight director. ...
Christopher Columbus Kraft, Jr. ...
 John W. Aaron is a former NASA engineer and mission controller during the Apollo program. ...
External links - National Park Service mission control page
- Space-Technology.com mission control page
|
Feeds |
Contact