Flight operations control center lessons learned for the delta clipper experimental rocket
- McDonnell Douglas Aerospace P.O. Box 21233, Dept. KA91-F164 Kennedy Space Center, Florida32815 (United States)
This paper summarizes the lessons learned from the operations of the Flight Operations Control Center (FOCC) for the NASA Delta Clipper Experimental (DC-X) single-stage rocket. Also, observations and suggested future enhancements are described for the FOCC Real-Time Data System (RTDS), its components, ground support equipment interfaces, and the FOCC itself. The objective of the FOCC was to streamline flight control operations to more closely resemble the flight deck of a commercial airliner. For the advanced configuration of DC-X and the DC-XA, the FOCC was modified into a physically isolated ground {open_quotes}cockpit{close_quotes} occupied by the flight manager and deputy flight manager, who serve as the ground-based pilot and copilot for the experimental single-stage rocket. The third member of the flight crew, the ground systems manager, operates the vehicle fueling and high-pressure gas loading systems from a separate ground support station on the request of the flight manager. This arrangement was a direct result of lessons learned from the earlier DC-X program. The Real-Time Data System (RTDS), which includes three-dimensional monitoring, color-coded graphical displays and various cockpit controls is highlighted. Lessons learned from the DC-X ground-based application software use, FOCC development, and ground support equipment operations are also discussed. The original Delta Clipper (DC-X) program, completed in July 1995, demonstrated that the cost of traditional rocket launch operations could be substantially reduced through rapid prototyping development, ground automation, and vehicle built-in health monitoring. The new DC-XA FOCC design emphasizes reduced operating costs to meet the overall program goal of providing low-cost affordable access to space in the future. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 627632
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970115-; ISSN 0094-243X; TRN: 9808M0049
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 387, Issue 1; Conference: Space technology and applications international forum (STAIF - 97), Albuquerque, NM (United States), 26-30 Jan 1997; Other Information: PBD: Jan 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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