Space How a Launch Team is Working

The launch team is that team which manages the launch of a mission. Once a mission launched, and depending on the type of the mission, the launch team transitions the control of the craft to the control center which has to take it in charge while the mission unfolds (the Johnson Space Center, for example, for the Space Shuttle missions). The launch team is assembling at computer and communication consoles in the launch control center at Kennedy Space Center about three to four hours before the launch

Considering a mission launching atop a Boeing launcher, the Boeing Mission Director (BMD) is the topmost authority for the launch. The "Go/No-Go" decision is prepared by the NASA launch manager (NLM) who is the highest authority after him -he is NASA Launch Director- ensuring that countdown and launch decision processes are properly conducted. The NLM is the NASA Launch Director. With the launch team he checks that all the launch criteria are met and that the launcher and the payload are ready to go

NASA Launch Manager is taking the advice of the following team members for the Go/No-Go decision:

• the Spacecraft Mission Director (SMD). He is responsible for the mission lying atop the launcher and in charge of assessing whether the payload is ready for launch. He is provided with data by the spacecraft launch support team
• the Mission Integration Manager (MIM). It is provided with the Spacecraft Mission Director with an overall view of the countdown and launch operational network and progress. The MIM is the primary interface between the spacecraft and the launch vehicle
• the NASA Chief Engineer (NCE). He is the NASA engineering team leader being responsible for the launcher's engineering and analysis status. He is provided with data by the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Engineering Team. He advises for the Go/No-Go for launch which is required from him by NASA Launch Manager

Following members are advising too to the Go/No-Go decision

• the Safety & Mission Assurance Manager (SMA). He is making sure that the countdown and decision process meet NASA flight assurance requirements and are conducted according proper procedures
• the NASA Advisory Manager (NAM). He has an advisory role only about assessing the launch and countdown process and the launch team performance. He assures that the launch decision process is properly executed. He is assisted by a team of experienced at launch operations NASA personnel
• the Safety, Health & Independent Assessment Manager (SHIA). He is providing an independent assessment of the countdown and launch decision process. He estimates whether the proper safety and health guidelines are followed

All launch team members are assembling in the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) launch control center. Such a center is providing the famous pictures of teams about computers and communication consoles