How many people work in the
control room?
Is there a difference
between a "Shuttle Test Director" and a "NASA Test
Director"?
What does Ground Control do?
ANSWER from Rebecca Aubin on April 7, 1997:
Mission Control is made up of controller positions, each
with a specific function to the mission and the orbiter. There is a specific
position called the GC (Ground Controller) position. This position is in charge
of making sure that there is communication coverage from the orbiter to the
ground (mission control) at all times. They accomplish this coverage through
(TDRS) Tracking and Data Relay Satellites in space. The satellites are
strategically positioned in space to allow for constant coverage while the
orbiter is rotating around the earth.
Do NASA Test Directors get technical training on all systems
to where he/she can be considered an expert?
ANSWER from Jim Draus on April 5, 2000:
The NASA Test Director (NTD) does receive technical training
on Space Shuttle systems, however, the NTD is not considered, nor expected to
be, a vehicle systems expert. The NTD is required to have enough knowledge of
Shuttle vehicle systems to be able to coordinate a brief but informative
discussion. The discussion is designed to allow for: (1) an understanding of
the problem, (2) to identify what, if any, impact the problem will have on the
Launch Countdown (LCD), (3) if any emergency safing/securing is required, and
(4) what the troubleshooting plan is to correct the problem.
How many people work in the control room?
ANSWER from Michael P. Moses on January 27, 2000:
During a shuttle mission there are about 50 people
supporting flight operations in the Mission Control Center. The room you see on
TV is called the Flight Control Room (FCR) - it houses about 20 flight
controllers representing each of the shuttle systems, plus the Flight Director
and the CAPCOM. There are about 20-30 other people supporting those that you
see on camera. There is also an engineering support room that has anywhere from
10 to 20 people. We keep up that manning 24 hours a day while the shuttle is in
orbit. To do that we assign 3 teams that work about 9 hours each shift.
Is there a difference between a "Shuttle Test
Director" and a "NASA Test Director"?
ANSWER from Jim Draus on March 28, 2000:
The "Shuttle Test Director" (STD), "Assistant NASA Test Director" (ANTD) and "NASA Test Director" (NTD), are all NTD's. The difference between the three is the level of training and experience, which allows for the various certifications. This training enables the STD, ANTD, and NTD to prepare for all emergencies and/or contingencies.