MER-A Firing Room

The launch team will assemble at their computer and communication consoles in the launch control center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station about 3 to 4 hours before the MER-A 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 Delta II vehicle and payload are ready to go.

Omar Baez		NASA launch manager (NLM) The NLM is responsible for ensuring that the countdown and launch decision processes are properly conducted.
Darren Bedell		NASA chief engineer (NCE) The NASA engineering team leader, the NCE is responsible for advising the NLM of the launch vehicle's status and the Go/No Go for launch.
Albert Sierra		Mission integration manager Assessment of launch service and observatory readiness.
Hortense Burt		Safety & Mission Assurance manager Quality and safety assessment of the countdown operations and overall launch decision process.
Bert Garrido		Safety, Health & Independent Assessment manager Independent assessment of the countdown operations and overall launch decision process.
Peter Theisinger		MER spacecraft mission director Overall assessment of rover readiness.
Joe Lackovich		NASA advisory manager Consultation and assessment of the launch process and countdown (advisory only).