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{{About|the Launch Control Center at Kennedy Space Center|underground facilities used to launch ICBMs|Missile launch control center}} |
{{About|the Launch Control Center at Kennedy Space Center|underground facilities used to launch ICBMs|Missile launch control center|other topics|launch control (disambiguation)}} |
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{{Infobox NRHP |
{{Infobox NRHP |
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| name = Launch Control Center |
| name = Launch Control Center |
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| mpsub = [[John F. Kennedy Space Center MPS]] |
| mpsub = [[John F. Kennedy Space Center MPS]] |
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The '''Launch Control Center''' ('''LCC''') is a four-story building at [[NASA]]'s [[Kennedy Space Center]] on [[Merritt Island, Florida]], used to manage launches of launch vehicles from [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39]]. Attached to the southeast corner of the [[Vehicle Assembly Building]], the LCC contains offices; telemetry, tracking, and instrumentation equipment; and firing rooms. |
The '''Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center''' (commonly known as just the '''Launch Control Center''' or '''LCC''') is a four-story building at [[NASA]]'s [[Kennedy Space Center]] on [[Merritt Island, Florida]], used to manage launches of launch vehicles from [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39]]. Attached to the southeast corner of the [[Vehicle Assembly Building]], the LCC contains offices; telemetry, tracking, and instrumentation equipment; and firing rooms. |
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LCC has conducted [[rocket launch|launch]]es since the unmanned [[Apollo 4]] (Apollo-Saturn 501) launch on November 9, 1967. LCC's first launch with a human crew was [[Apollo 8]] on December 21, 1968. NASA's [[Space Shuttle program]] also used LCC. NASA has renovated the center for |
LCC has conducted [[rocket launch|launch]]es since the unmanned [[Apollo 4]] (Apollo-Saturn 501) launch on November 9, 1967. LCC's first launch with a human crew was [[Apollo 8]] on December 21, 1968. NASA's [[Space Shuttle program]] also used LCC. NASA has renovated the center for [[Space Launch System]] (SLS) missions, which began in 2022 with [[Artemis 1]]. In February 2022, the center was renamed after former launch director [[Rocco Petrone|Rocco A. Petrone]].<ref>{{cite press release |last1=Cawley |first1=James |title=NASA Kennedy's Control Center Named for Apollo-Era Launch Director |url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-kennedy-s-control-center-named-for-apollo-era-launch-director |access-date=3 April 2022 |work=NASA |date=22 February 2022}}</ref> |
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==Firing rooms== |
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[[Image:KSCFiringroom1.jpg|300px|right|thumb| |
[[Image:KSCFiringroom1.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Firing Room 1 configured for [[Space Shuttle]] launches]] |
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[[Image:Firing Room -2 During Apollo 12 CDDT - GPN-2000-000632.jpg|300px|right|thumb| |
[[Image:Firing Room -2 During Apollo 12 CDDT - GPN-2000-000632.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Firing Room 2 as it appeared in the Apollo era]] |
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[[Image:S-IB Networks panel.jpg|300px|right|thumb|A Saturn I-B control panel from an Apollo-era Firing Room]] |
[[Image:S-IB Networks panel.jpg|300px|right|thumb|A Saturn I-B control panel from an Apollo-era Firing Room]] |
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Launch operations are supervised and controlled from several control rooms |
Launch operations are supervised and controlled from several control rooms known as firing rooms. The controllers are in control of pre-launch checks, the booster and spacecraft. Once the rocket has cleared the launch tower (usually within the first 10–15 seconds), is when control is switched over to the mission's relative mission control center. (The [[Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center]] at the [[Johnson Space Center]] in [[Houston, Texas]] for NASA launches or [[SpaceX]] Mission Control Center in [[Hawthorne, California]] for SpaceX launches.) |
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Extensive renovation of |
Extensive renovation of Firing Room 4 was finished in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-24 |title=Firing Rooms at Kennedy Space Center |url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/714795main_firing-rooms.pdf}}</ref> |
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Firing |
Firing Room 4 is leased by [[SpaceX]] and serves as their launch control center for [[Launch Complex 39A]].<ref>{{cite press release |date= May 30, 2020 |title= NASA Astronauts Launch from America in Historic Test Flight of SpaceX Crew Dragon |url= https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-astronauts-launch-from-america-in-historic-test-flight-of-spacex-crew-dragon |
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|publisher= NASA |access-date= June 1, 2020}}</ref> |
|publisher= NASA |access-date= June 1, 2020}}</ref> |
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===Launch Director (LD)=== |
===Launch Director (LD)=== |
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The Launch Director is the head of the launch team, and is responsible for making the final "go" or "no go" decision for launch after polling the relevant team members. There have been eight different Space Shuttle launch directors between 1981 and 2011.<ref>https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/space-shuttle-launch-directors.pdf</ref> |
The Launch Director is the head of the launch team, and is responsible for making the final "go" or "no go" decision for launch after polling the relevant team members. There have been eight different Space Shuttle launch directors between 1981 and 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Space Shuttle Launch Directors|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/space-shuttle-launch-directors.pdf|access-date=November 7, 2022|publisher=NASA}}</ref> |
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===Flow Director (FD)=== |
===Flow Director (FD)=== |
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===Launch Processing System Coordinator (LPS)=== |
===Launch Processing System Coordinator (LPS)=== |
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The LPS Coordinator monitors and oversees the LPS System; specifically, the desired launch rate, Space Shuttle ''stacking'' (assembly), and all safety requirements. This is made possible by the Launch Processing System, or LPS — a highly automated, computer-controlled system that oversees the entire checkout and launch process.<ref>[http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/facilities/lps.html NASA: ''KSC Launch Control Center'']</ref> |
The LPS Coordinator monitors and oversees the LPS System; specifically, the desired launch rate, Space Shuttle ''stacking'' (assembly), and all safety requirements. This is made possible by the [[Launch Processing System]], or LPS — a highly automated, computer-controlled system that oversees the entire checkout and launch process.<ref>[http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/facilities/lps.html NASA: ''KSC Launch Control Center'']</ref> |
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===Support Test Manager (STM)=== |
===Support Test Manager (STM)=== |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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<gallery widths="180px" perrow="6"> |
<gallery widths="180px" perrow="6"> |
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File:NASA Launch Control Center renovated control room.jpg|Interior of the recently renovated |
File:NASA Launch Control Center renovated control room.jpg|Interior of the recently renovated firing room 1 in 2018. |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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*[[Launch status check]] |
*[[Launch status check]] |
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*[[Mission control center]] |
*[[Mission control center]] |
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*[[Spacecraft naming]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
Launch Control Center | |
![]()
LC-39 Launch Control Center
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Nearest city | Titusville, Florida |
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Coordinates | 28°35′7″N 80°38′59″W / 28.58528°N 80.64972°W / 28.58528; -80.64972 |
Area | 12,047 m2 |
Built | 1967 |
MPS | John F. Kennedy Space Center MPS |
NRHP reference No. | 99001645[1] |
Added to NRHP | January 21, 2000 |
The Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center (commonly known as just the Launch Control CenterorLCC) is a four-story building at NASA's Kennedy Space CenteronMerritt Island, Florida, used to manage launches of launch vehicles from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39. Attached to the southeast corner of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the LCC contains offices; telemetry, tracking, and instrumentation equipment; and firing rooms.
LCC has conducted launches since the unmanned Apollo 4 (Apollo-Saturn 501) launch on November 9, 1967. LCC's first launch with a human crew was Apollo 8 on December 21, 1968. NASA's Space Shuttle program also used LCC. NASA has renovated the center for Space Launch System (SLS) missions, which began in 2022 with Artemis 1. In February 2022, the center was renamed after former launch director Rocco A. Petrone.[2]
Launch operations are supervised and controlled from several control rooms known as firing rooms. The controllers are in control of pre-launch checks, the booster and spacecraft. Once the rocket has cleared the launch tower (usually within the first 10–15 seconds), is when control is switched over to the mission's relative mission control center. (The Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center at the Johnson Space CenterinHouston, Texas for NASA launches or SpaceX Mission Control Center in Hawthorne, California for SpaceX launches.)
Extensive renovation of Firing Room 4 was finished in 2006.[3]
Firing Room 4 is leased by SpaceX and serves as their launch control center for Launch Complex 39A.[4]
The Launch Director is the head of the launch team, and is responsible for making the final "go" or "no go" decision for launch after polling the relevant team members. There have been eight different Space Shuttle launch directors between 1981 and 2011.[5]
The Flow Director is responsible for the preparation of the spacecraft for launch, and remains in the LCC in an advisory capacity.
The NASA Test Director is responsible for all pre-launch testing, whether involving the flight crew, the orbiter, the external tank/solid rocket booster, or ground support equipment. The NTD is also responsible for the safety of all personnel on the pad after fuelling has occurred. Reports to the Launch Director.
The Orbiter Test Conductor is in charge of all pre-flight checkout and testing of the orbiter, and manages the engineers in the firing room who monitor the orbiter's systems. OTC is an employee of a contractor rather than of NASA.
The Payload Test Conductor is responsible for the pre-flight test and checkout of payloads carried by the orbiter and manages the engineering and test teams responsible for monitoring and controlling payload ground operations. PTC is a contractor member of the Space Shuttle Team.
The LPS Coordinator monitors and oversees the LPS System; specifically, the desired launch rate, Space Shuttle stacking (assembly), and all safety requirements. This is made possible by the Launch Processing System, or LPS — a highly automated, computer-controlled system that oversees the entire checkout and launch process.[6]
The Superintendent of Range Operations ensures that all tracking and communications systems are ready to support the launch operation as well as ensuring that downrange airspace and splashdown areas remain clear for launch, and monitors weather near the launch site.
The Ground Launch Sequencer Engineer is responsible for monitoring the operation of the automated Ground Launch Sequencer system, which controls the countdown from T-9 minutes until launch. After this point through to T-31 seconds, they are in charge of implementing a manual hold if necessary. After T-31 seconds only an automatic cutoff is available. The automatic cutoff recycles the countdown clock to T-20 minutes. Usually this will extend the launch time beyond the launch window causing a scrub and a 24-hour turnaround.
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