Station Mission Controller Front Room Positions
F.1 Flight Director (FD)
The Mission Control Center Houston (MCC-H) Flight Director (FD) has overall authority and responsibility for the safety of the International Space Station (ISS) and crew, planning and plan execution, systems operations, and anomaly troubleshooting. The MCC-H FD leads the real-time execution and will receive status information from the various control centers on significant Station operations activities which are being conducted. The MCC-H FD approves the weekly integrated Station plan, and approves any real-time deviations to the plan. The MCC-H FD approves all MCC-H commands to the Station, and the initiation of any potentially hazardous operation. The MCC-H FD has the responsibility and authority to take any action required to ensure the safety of the crew and ISS. When decisions are required outside of the Station operating base, the MCC-H FD will consult the Mission Management Team when time permits.
F.2 ISS Communication and Tracking Officer (CATO)
The Communication
And Tracking Officer (CATO) is responsible for management and operations
of the U.S. Communications Systems onboard the ISS, management of command
and telemetry services between the vehicle and the ground, and management
of the operations recorder function, (i.e. the recording and playback of
ISS core system telemetry). The U.S.
Communications
Systems include the S-band, Ku-band, UHF, Audio, Video hardware and associated
system software. CATO is also responsible for maintaining cognizance of
the operational status of the Russian Communications Systems.
F.3 ISS Onboard Data and Information Network (ODIN) Officer
The Onboard Data and Information Network (ODIN) Officer is the Station Command and Data Handling (C&DH) Systems Officers responsible for the U.S. Onboard Segment (USOS) Command and Data Handling System, including hardware, software, networks, and interfaces with International Partner (IP) Avionics Systems. ODIN manages USOS Multiplexer/Demultiplexer (MDMs) hardware, networks, core software and memory devices, crew interface devices, station mode control, station time and distribution, Caution and Warning system, station level Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery (FDIR), Command and Telemetry Processing, and data interfaces with International Segments.
F.4 Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) Officer
The Environmental Control and Life Support System(ECLSS) Officer is responsible for the assembly and operation of multiple station subsystems and functions related to atmosphere control and supply, atmosphere revitalization, cabin air temperature, humidity control, and circulation, fire detection and suppression, water collection and processing, crew hygiene, and payload utilities support. The ECLSS Officer performs systems management of the USOS ECLSS equipment. This includes activation and checkout during assembly in addition to nominal and off-nominal systems operation. The ECLSS Officer is also responsible for the overall integration of IP station functions including O2, N2, and H2O consumables management and balance; total atmosphere composition, revitalization, and conditioning; and emergency response (i.e. module leak, fire, toxic spill).
F.5 Power, Heating, Articulation, Lighting, and Control (PHALCON) Officer
The Power,
Heating, Articulation, Lighting, and Control (PHALCON) Officer manages
the power generation, energy storage, and power distribution capabilities
of the Station Electrical Power System (EPS). The PHALCON Officer ensures
that electrical systems configurations and power allocation meet the needs
of the U.S. and IP core and payload systems, and is responsible for the
detailed long term planning, analysis, troubleshooting, anomaly resolution,
and procedure execution in support of real-time operation of the U.S. EPS.
The PHALCON Officer is responsible for providing periodic reports on the
status of the multi-segment EPS to the Station
Flight Director.
PHALCON will also notify the Station Flight Director if any EPS anomalies
occur or if deviations from the operating procedures occur. PHALCON will
coordinate EPS procedures which effect multiple disciplines with the appropriate
Flight Controllers in the MCCs.
The PHALCON
Officer requires top level knowledge of the Russian Segment (RS) core systems
to support the execution of the PHALCON responsibilities of station-wide
health and status monitoring, and leadership of multi-segment responses
to any electrical system malfunctions or procedure changes. In order to
determine the station-wide status of the electrical power systems, the
PHALCON Officer requires information regarding the Russian power generation,
energy storage, and power distribution capabilities, including main bus
status and detailed electrical
systems information
at the interfaces between the U.S. On-orbit Segment (USOS) and RS. The
PHALCON Officer will coordinate multi-segment EPS operations with the Russian
EPS Officer. During missions in which the Assembly Power Converter Unit
(APCU) is operated, the PHALCON Officer will be required to coordinate
joint vehicle electrical systems operations with
the Shuttle
Electrical Generation and Integrated Loading (EGIL) Officer.
F.6 ISS Attitude Determination and Control (ADCO) Officer
The Station Attitude Determination and Control (ADCO) Officer works in partnership with the Russian controllers to manage the station’s Motion Control System (MCS). System responsibilities include the USOS Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C), RS GN&C, and RS propulsion systems. ADCO is responsible for integrated GN&C and propulsion systems operations. The ADCO will directly operate the USOS GN&C system; with Mission Control Center Moscow (MCC-M) operation the RS systems. Both groups will participate in the planning , analysis, and monitoring of station Motion Control System (MCS).
F.7 Thermal Operations and Resources (THOR) Officer
Thermal Operations
and Resources (THOR) Officer is a combined managerial and technical position
responsible for the overall operations of the Thermal Control System (TCS).
The TCS is comprised of the External TCS (ETCS) and radiators (12A and
subs), the Early External TCS (EETCS) and radiators (5A - 12A), the Internal
TCS (ITCS), and Passive TCS (PTCS). The
operational
responsibilities of the THOR include TCS performance monitoring,
management of the heat rejection resource, planning and replanning support,
and anomaly resolution. With respect to NASDA and ESA, THOR is responsible
for operations of the ETCS, which interfaces with the Japanese Experiment
Module (JEM) and Columbus Orbiting Facility COF ITCS loops via four interface
heat exchangers (two per module). NASDA and ESA will be responsible for
operation of the ITCS in their respective modules, and for maintaining
their modules' heat loads within predefined allocations. THOR will be responsible
for heaters located on the Interface
Heat Exchanger
(IFHXs) and external water lines prior to JEM/COF activation, and NASDA/ESA
will assume control of those heaters after module activation.. Additionally,
THOR will monitor the JEM/COF ITCS to maintain an overview-level insight
into the operation of their systems. With respect to RSA, there are no
functional interfaces between the US and Russian
active TCS.
THOR will be responsible for operation of the U.S. TCS, while MCC-M will
be responsible for the Russian TCS. However, THOR will monitor the Russian
TCS to maintain an overview-level insight into the operation of their systems.
MCC-M will likewise monitor the U.S. TCS to maintain a similar insight.
F.8 Robotics Operations System (ROSO) Officer
The Robotics
Operations System Officer (ROSO) is a combined managerial and technical
position that is responsible for the overall operations of the Mobile Servicing
System (MSS). The MSS is comprised of the Mobile Transporter (MT), Mobile
Remote Servicer Bace System (MBS), Space Station Remote Manipulating System
(SSRMS), Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM), Robotics Workstation
(RWS), and Artificial Vision Unit (AVU). The
operational
responsibilities of the ROSO include MSS performance monitoring, planning/replanning
support, and anomaly resolution. ROSO will be located in the Flight Control
Room (FCR), and, along with other FCR personnel, will support the space
station Flight Director (FD). ROSOs primary responsibility is communication
with the FD regarding the status of the robotics systems. If any anomalies
have occurred or are anticipated, the ROSO must inform the FD. The ROSO
is also responsible for ensuring that the crew is accurately following
operating procedures and for notifying the FD if a deviation occurs. In
addition, if any robotics systems activities may affect or be affected
by other space station systems, ROSO must notify those systems’ MCC mission
controllers. ROSO’s responsibilities involve management of a joint NASA/CSA
team of specialists to plan and execute integrated robotic procedures in
support of assembly, utilization, and maintenance of the space station.
ROSO will coordinate the team activities, assign priorities, and maintain
a productive environment.
F.9 Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Officer
The Extravehicular
Activity (EVA) Officer is the mission controller responsible for the conduct
of EVA-related tasks. The EVA Officer combines technical EVA expertise
with skills to manage the activities of the EVA flight control team and
its resources. During planning shifts, this
involves
maintaining overall mission cognizance and awareness of how EVA-related
activities fit into the flight plan. During execution of an EVA, this requires
constant awareness of the EVA tasks being performed (including EVA customer
interfacing), as well as Extravehicular Mobile
Unit (EMU)
performance. The EVA Officer acts as the interface for EVA requirements
with all other disciplines in the MCC. Meaning, if EVA will be affected
by activities from another discipline, or vice versa, the
EVA Officer
must coordinate these activities. This entails one of the FCR position’s
primary responsibilities, which is to keep the Flight Director abreast
of any significant EVA developments. Real-time downlink communications
are critical for EVA Officers to perform their jobs. There are only two
possible ways of following an EVAs progress, either hearing the EV crew’s
commentary or watching downlinked video. Without at least one of these
two forms of “telemetry”, the EVA team is blind regarding the status of
EVA tasks. The only exception to this fact is the highly unusual circumstance
of an EVA payload rigged with its own status telemetry.
F.10 Operations Support Officer (OSO)
The Operations
Support Officer (OSO) is the flight controller responsible within the control
team for the station structures, mechanical systems, and systems maintenance.
The OSO is responsible for all aspects of monitoring, planning/replanning,
and anomaly resolution for the structures and
mechanical
systems as well as other equipment used for maintenance such as hand tools,
diagnostic equipment and repair kits. The OSO is also responsible for implementing
the procedures for Intravehicular Activity (IVA) maintenance tasks as well
as other hardware assembly operations (such as vestibule jumper installation
removal and rack translation). They
also have
the role within the control team for planning and coordinating the prioritization
of all systems maintenance tasks, keeping the flight director and others
aware of the status of repairs, and ensuring the proper spare parts, supplies,
and equipment are available on-board or on the
ground.
F.11 Operations Planner (Ops Plan) Officer
The Operations Planner (Ops Plan) Officer coordinates operations planning and execution with the mission control team, payload community, and the International Partners. Additionally, the Ops Plan supervises operations planning backroom and office support in accomplishing mission control activities relating to Short Term Plan (STP) and Onboard Short Term Plan (OSTP) development (weekly planning), replanning, inventory and stowage management, systems operations data file management, payload support, and management of onboard Portable Computers. The Ops Plan also plays a leadership role in the evolution of the operations plan from tactical/increment planning, through mission execution, to post increment reporting and leads the international execute planning effort and associated Boards.
F.12 Assembly, Activation & Checkout Officer (ACO)
The Assembly,
Activation & Checkout Officer coordinates the execution of assembly
and activation operations across the Flight Control Team (FCT). ACO develops
and coordinates changes to the assembly and activation Flight Data File/Operations
Data File (FDF/ODF) procedures as required to accomplish required operations
and provides recommendation to FD
and Flight
Control Team (FCT) on changes to execution of assembly and activation operations
due to ISS or Space Transportation System (STS) system failures. Additionally,
ACO identifies off-nominal conditions which affect assembly or joint vehicle
operations and recommends recovery options to the FCT.?F.13 Trajectory
Operations (TOPO) Officer Trajectory Operations Officer (TOPO) performs
specific trajectory operations functions and
integrates
all planned activities or events which affect the ISS trajectory, propulsive
and non-propulsive. Trajectory simulations are used to evaluate both near
and long term results to support go/no go decisions. TOPO provides the
baseline ISS planning ephemeris and associated ancillary data in support
of the Short Term Plan development and execution. Trajectory determaintain
is initially performed by Russia until provided directly by the ISS Global
Positioning System (GPS). U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) is back-up in
both cases. TOPO performs accuracy checks of the ISS state vector as required.
Additional ephemerides are maintained as required for the sun, planets,
moon, Tracking and Data Relay System (TDRS), and other orbiting vehicles.
In support of translational maneuvers, TOPO develops the maneuver requirements,
coordinates with Russia in development of maneuver designs, and works with
Operations Planner to integrate the detail maneuver design from Russia
into the activity timelines. These maneuvers include nominal reboost and
debris avoidance. Translational
maneuver
monitoring and post-maneuver performance assessments are also performed.
The scope of debris avoidance includes the ISS itself, pre-launch clearance
of vehicles coming to the ISS, and visiting vehicles while in flight to
the ISS. Launch clearances and requirements for
debris avoidance
maneuvers are evaluated with USSPACECOM. ISS maneuvers are jointly planned
with Russia. Visiting vehicles actions are jointly coordinated with the
vehicle owners. TOPO supports activation and checkout activities, and rendezvous
operations as required.
F.14 Flight Surgeon (SURGEON)
The MCC-H
Flight Surgeon (Surgeon) is responsible for the health and safety of the
crew on-board the ISS. The Surgeon provides real-time medical consultations
and communications to flight crewmembers, including Private Medical Conferences,
Private Family Conferences, and Private Psychological Conferences, which
are completed by the Psychological Support Group.
The Surgeon
also monitors the medical and physiological status of the flight crewmembers,
medically-related ISS systems, payloads, medical research, and the Crew
Health Care System equipment. The Surgeon represents Medical Operations
as a member of the Management Control Team, provides inputs to the Flight
Director on all medical issues, and provides mission
integration
plan inputs regarding crewmember health and safety. A physician, who is
certified as a NASA Flight Surgeon, will staff the MCC-H Surgeon position.
The Surgeon may consult specialty controllers and consultants (medical
consultants, radiation experts, microbiologists, and
toxicologists)
to aid in the resolution of medical issues.