FLIGHT CONTROL OF STS-68

James Hartsfield								August 11, 1994
RELEASE: 94-053								

Flight control for STS-68, the seventh flight of Endeavour, will follow the
procedures and traditions common to U.S. manned space fl ights since 1965, when
the Mission Control Center (MCC) was first used.

The responsibility for Shuttle operations will revert to the MCC, Houston, once
Endeavour's two solid rocket boosters ignite.  Missi on support in the MCC will
begin 5 hours prior to launch and continue through landing.

The primary objective of STS-68 is the around-the-clock operation of the second
Space Radar Laboratory.

The Space Shuttle orbiter's operations will be conducted from Flight Control
Room One (FCR-1) on the second floor of the MCC, locate d in Bldg. 30 at the
Johnson Space Center. Voice communications with the Orbiter will be as standard
from the MCC using the call si gns "Houston" and "Endeavour."

The teams of MCC flight controllers will alternate shifts in the control center
and in nearby analysis and support facilities.  The handover between each team
takes about an hour and allows each flight controller to brief his or her
replacement on developments dur ing the previous two shifts.

The MCC flight control teams for this mission will be referred to as the
Ascent/Entry Team, the Orbit 1 Team, Orbit 2 Team and Orbit 3 Team. The
Ascent/Entry Teams and the Orbit 1 Team will be led by Flight Director Rich
Jackson. The Orbit 2 shift will be conduct ed by Lead STS-68 Flight Director
Chuck Shaw. The Orbit 3 Team will be led by Flight Director Al Pennington.

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MCC POSITIONS AND CALL SIGNS FOR STS-68 

The flight control positions in the MCC, and their responsibilities, are:

Flight Director (FLIGHT)

   Has overall responsibility for the conduct of the mission.

Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM)

   By tradition an astronaut; responsible for all voice contact with the flight
crew.

Flight Activities Officer (FAO)

   Responsible for procedures and crew timelines; provides expertise on flight
documentation and checklists; prepares messages and m aintains all teleprinter
and/or Text and Graphics System traffic to the vehicle.

Integrated Communications Officer (INCO)

   Responsible for all Orbiter data, voice and video communications systems;
 monitors the telemetry link between the vehicle and the ground; oversees the
 uplink command and control processes.

Flight Dynamics Officer (FDO)

   Responsible for monitoring vehicle performance during the powered flight
phase and assessing abort modes; calculating orbital man euvers and resulting
trajectories; and monitoring vehicle flight profile and energy levels during
reentry.

Trajectory Officer (TRAJECTORY)

   Also known as "TRAJ," this operator aids the FDO during dynamic flight
phases and is responsible for maintaining the trajectory p rocessors in the MCC
and for trajectory inputs made to the Mission Operations Computer.

Guidance, Navigation & Control Systems Engineer (GNC)

   Responsible for all inertial navigational systems hardware such as star
trackers, radar altimeters and the inertial measurement u nits; monitors radio
navigation and digital autopilot hardware systems.

Guidance & Procedures Officer (GPO)

   Responsible for the onboard navigation software and for maintenance of the
Orbiter's navigation state, known as the state vector.  Also responsible for
monitoring crew vehicle control during ascent, entry, or rendezvous.

Rendezvous Guidance and Procedures Officer (RENDEZVOUS)

   The RENDEZVOUS GPO is a specialist who monitors onboard navigation of the
Orbiter during rendezvous and proximity operations.

Environmental Engineer & Consumables Manager (EECOM)

   Responsible for all life support systems, cabin pressure, thermal control
and supply and waste water management; manages consumab les such as oxygen and
hydrogen.

Electrical Generation and Illumination Officer (EGIL)

   Responsible for power management, fuel cell operation, vehicle lighting and
the master caution and warning system.

Payloads Officer (PAYLOADS)

   Coordinates all payload activities; serves as principal interface with
remote payload operations facilities.

Data Processing Systems Engineer (DPS)

   Responsible for all onboard mass memory and data processing hardware;
monitors primary and backup flight software systems; manage s operating
routines and multi-computer configurations.

Propulsion Engineer (PROP)

   Manages the reaction control and orbital maneuvering thrusters during all
phases of flight; monitors fuel usage and storage tank status; calculates
optimal sequences for thruster firings.

Booster Systems Engineer (BOOSTER)

   Monitors main engine and solid rocket booster performance during ascent
phase.

Ground Controller (GC)

   Coordinates operation of ground stations and other elements of worldwide
space tracking and data network; responsible for MCC com puter support and
displays.

Maintenance, Mechanical, Arm & Crew Systems (MMACS)

Monitors auxiliary power units and hydraulic systems; manages payload bay and
vent door operations; handles in-flight maintenance pl anning; oversees orbiter
structure, tiles, blankets, etc.

Extravehicular Activities (EVA)

   A specialist responsible for monitoring and coordinating preparations for
and execution of space walks.  Responsibilities include monitoring suit and
EVA hardware performance when applicable.

Payload Deployment & Retrieval Systems (PDRS)

   A specialist responsible for monitoring and coordinating the operation of
the remote manipulator system when it is carried aboard the Orbiter.

Flight Surgeon (SURGEON)

   Monitors health of flight crew; provides procedures and guidance on all
health-related matters.

Public Affairs Officer (PAO)

   Provides real-time explanation of mission events during all phases of
flight.

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