Gravity Probe B Firing Room

The launch team will assemble at their computers and communication consoles in the launch control center at Vandenberg Air Force Base about 3 to 4 hours before the Gravity Probe B launch.

The NASA launch manager (NLM) will be the highest authority during the launch of the mission and will provide NASA's "Go / No-Go" decision to the Mission Director.

Before launch, the NLM will check with the launch team to make sure all the launch criteria are being met and that the Boeing Delta II vehicle and payload are ready to go.

Chuck Dovale		NASA Launch Manager (NLM) The NLM is responsible for ensuring that the countdown and launch decision processes are properly conducted. He requires "Go/ No-Go" concurrence from the following elements: NCE, MIM, SMA, SHIA, SMD and NAM. He then provides NASA's "Go/ No-Go" for Launch to the Boeing Mission Director (BMD). The NLM serves as the NASA Launch Director.
James Wood		NASA Chief Engineer (NCE) The NASA engineering team leader, the NCE is responsible for advising the NLM of the launch vehicle's engineering and analysis status and the Go/No Go for launch. He receives the status and assessment from the KSC Engineering Team and provides a "Go/ No-Go" to the NLM.
Wanda Harding		Mission Integration Manager (MIM) Assessment of launch service and observatory readiness. The MIM receives information from the GPB Mission Director on issues pertaining to overall health, status of operational network and/or progress of countdown operations. The MIM is the primary interface between the spacecraft and the launch vehicle.
Tom Palo		Safety & Mission Assurance Manager (SMA) Quality and safety assessment of the countdown operations and overall launch decision process. The SMA Manager is responsible for monitoring NASA flight assurance requirements during the launch countdown process and ensuring the countdown is conducted according to proper procedures.
Oscar Toledo		Safety, Health & Independent Assessment Manager (SHIA) Independent assessment of the countdown operations and overall launch decision process. The SHIA Manager is responsible for providing an independent assessment of the countdown operations and overall launch decision process. This includes assessment of the operation in order to evaluate whether the proper safety and health guidelines are followed.
Rex Geveden		Gravity Probe B Spacecraft Mission Director (SMD) Overall assessment of Gravity Probe B readiness. The SMD is responsible for the Gravity Probe B and its readiness for launch. The SMD will receive status and recommendations from the GPB launch support team. He provides the spacecraft "Go/ No-Go" to the NLM.
Joe Lackovich		NASA Advisory Manager (NAM) Consultation and assessment of the launch process and countdown (advisory only). The NAM leads a team composed of NASA personnel who are experienced in launch operations. The Advisory Team provides an assessment of the launch countdown and launch team performance, and assures that the launch decision process is properly executed.