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Table of Contents
DSA Launch Procedure
Many individuals contribute to the safe and successful launch of DSA Spacecraft. The official job titles and descriptions of each participant are listed below.
| Station | |
|---|---|
| Abbr | Title |
CGLS | Ground launch sequencer engineer |
SRO | Superintendant of range operations |
LRD | Landing and recovery director |
SAFETY | Safety console coordinator |
TBC | Tank/booster test conductor |
CTC | Capsule test conductor |
LPS | Launch processing system coordinator |
LD | Launch director |
MINERVA | Spacecraft pilot |
Polling Stations
During polling, each launch controller should give a “go” or “no-go” for launch. Upon giving the “go,” the corresponding hold switch should be moved to the down-and-off position. The red light above the switch will extinguish. If the controller is not physically present in the control room—i.e., they are occupied elsewhere—then an adjacent controller will operate the lever.
The LD shall poll the following stations, in order:
MINERVACGLSSROLRDSAFETYTBCCTCLPSLD
If all flight controllers are “go” and no red lights are visible above the controller desks, then LD should request that CGLS commence the countdown. CGLS will then:
- Provide a pre-count to initiate the countdown on his/her “mark.”
- Press the green “GO” button to initiate the countdown.
- Read the countdown events listed in the section below, as they occur.
Countdown Events
CGLS should read the countdown aloud. When reading the countdown, read the times and milestones from the following table. Both should be read as lights are extinguished. For example, read entry for “Ground launch sequence start” immediately after the first lamp is extinguished.
| Lamps Lit | T± (MM:SS) | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | T- 01:50 | Countdown initiated |
| 14 | T- 01:43 | Ground launch sequence start |
| 13 | T- 01:36 | |
| 12 | T- 01:29 | |
| 11 | T- 01:22 | |
| 10 | T- 01:15 | Main engine gimbal test |
| 9 | T- 01:08 | |
| 8 | T- 01:01 | |
| 7 | T- 00:54 | Internal power transfer |
| 6 | T- 00:47 | |
| 5 | T- 00:40 | |
| 4 | T- 00:33 | Auto-sequence start |
| 3 | T- 00:26 | |
| 2 | T- 00:19 | Main engine start |
| 1 | T- 00:12 | |
| 0 | T- 00:05 | Launch commit |
| – | T+ 00:00 | TNT Ignition |
| – | T+ 00:04 | Lift-off |
At any time prior to main engine start, at T- 00:19 seconds, any controller may request that the countdown be held by
- saying “HOLD COUNTDOWN;” and
- moving their countdown hold switch to the up-and-on position.
CGLS should acknowledge that the countdown has been held.
After main engine start, all holds will be considered a mission ABORT. To re-start from an abort condition, the master power must be cycled off, then back on again, and the full countdown must be started from the top (i.e., T- 01:50).
After launch commit, no abort is possible, and the flight must continue.
In the event of a hold or abort, MINERVA should rotate the Pilot's Arm Switch to the down-and-off position. This action will inhibit and prevent TNT ignition, but it will not hold the countdown. In the event that MINERVA requests a countdown hold, CGLS is responsible for holding the countdown.
