John F. Kennedy Space Center - Expendable Launch Vehicles

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MYSTERIOUS MERCURY - The least explored terrestrial planet


	The seating assignments in the Firing Room change according to the launch vehicle. For example, the seating arrangement for a launch using a Delta II launch vehicle may be different from the seating arrangement for a launch using a Delta II Heavy or a Pegasus launch vehicle.

MESSENGER Firing Room

The launch team will assemble at their computers and communication consoles in the launch control center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) about 3 to 4 hours before the MESSENGER 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.

Darren Bedell		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.

Cheryle Mako		Mission Integration Manager (MIM) Assessment of launch service and observatory readiness. The MIM receives information from the MESSENGER 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.

Hortense Burt		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.

Bert Garrido		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.

David G. Grant		MESSENGER Spacecraft Mission Director (SMD) Overall assessment of MESSENGER readiness. The SMD is responsible for MESSENGER and its readiness for launch. The SMD will receive status and recommendations from the MESSENGER 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.

Curator: Lynda Warnock
NASA Official: Dennis Armstrong
Last Updated: July 29, 2004