Space How Does the ISS Flight Control Room in Houston Work?

Here is, courtesy a documentation NASA, how the ISS Flight Control Room at the Mission Control Center (MCC) in Houston, Tx. is staffed

The flight control team, first, is under the authority of the Flight Director (FLIGHT). He serves like the focal point for all decisions relevant to the space flight mission. The Russian Interface Officer (RIO), then, is the primary interface between the Houston control team and the international partner control centers as the Ground Controller (GC) directs all what is concerning the Mission Control hardware, software and support facilities (he also coordinate data and voice transmissions from ground and satellite networks). Through TOPO (see below), the station orbital position is forwarded and updated to the ISS Russian controllers along with the US Space Command. Flight Surgeon (SURGEON) and the Biomedical Engineer (BME) manage all what is health-related domains like SURGEON is responsible for the physical and psychological health and safety of ISS crewmembers as the BME monitors health-related systems and crew health care systems. Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) is the prime communications link between Mission Control and the ISS (note: CAPCOM stands for 'capsule communicator' dating back to the beginnings of US manned spaceflights)

The following members of the control room then parts according to what aspect of the ISS they are in charge of, like

ISS Flight

• the Trajectory Operations and Procedures Officer (TOPO) is responsible for the ISS trajectory and all orbital maneuvers as he is working too with ADCO
• the Attitude Determination and Control Officer (ADCO) is managing all the ISS guidance, navigation and control
• the Communications and Tracking Officer (CATO) is about the ISS on-orbit communications system

A View of The ISS Flight Control Room at the Mission Control Center (MCC) in Houston, Tx.. picture site 'Amateur Astronomy'

ISS Onboard Systems

• Power, Heating, Articulation Lighting and Control (PHALCON) is managing the electricity available to operate the station systems and experiments
• Thermal Operations and Resources (THOR) is responsible for the assembly, operation and checkout of the ISS thermal control system
• Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) oversees the assembly, checkout and operation of environmental control functions and life support systems
• Onboard, Data, Interface and Networks (ODIN) is for computer software and hardware, caution and warning, command and data processing along with data interfaces with international partners
• the Cargo Integration Officer (CIO) maintains a inventory of all supplies and equipement aboard the ISS as he is also relevant about cargo delivered to and from the station
• as far as the maintenance is concerned, it relies upon the Operations Support Officer (OSO), who manages all on-orbit maintenance activities, including development, training and analysis of procedures on the ground, before they be carried out in orbit

Crew Work

• the Operation Planner (OPS PLAN) is developing and coordinating operations plans and crew work schedules or timelines during period when no Space Shuttle orbiter is docked to the ISS
• the Robotics Operations Systems Officer (ROBO) is managing the operations of the ISS robotic arm -or remote manipulator system, SSRMS- with its Mobile Servicing System
• Extravehicular Activities (EVA) is at its console when spacewalk takes place at the ISS from the US Quest Joint airlock, monitoring spacesuits and the extravehicular activities themselves
• the Visiting Vehicles Officer (VVO) is specifically monitoring the Russian Soyuz and Progress vehicles operations for their docking and undocking activities

A so-called 'Gemini Team' is alleviated in terms of staff members as it allows to reduce the number of people working in the Mission Control Center nights and on weekends. Telemetry, Information Transfer & Attitude Navigation (TITAN), for example, is managing the Command and Data Handling, Communications and Tracking, and Motion Control, or Atmosphere Thermal Lighting Articulation Specialist (ATLAS) does for the Environmental Control and Life Support System, the Electrical Power System and the Thermal Control System. The Public Affairs Officer (PAO), at last, is providing necessary information to the news media and the public, like providing mission commentary to supplement and explain air-to-ground transmissions and flight control operations