Launch status check
A launch status check, also known as a "go/no go poll" and several other terms, occurs at the beginning of an American spaceflight mission in which flight controllers monitoring various systems are queried for operation and readiness status before a launch can proceed. For Space Shuttle missions, in the firing room at the Launch Control Center, the NASA Test Director performed this check via a voice communications link with other NASA personnel. The NTD was the leader of the shuttle test team responsible for directing and integrating all flight crew, orbiter, external tank/solid rocket booster and ground support testing in the shuttle launch countdown. The NTD was also responsible for the safety of all personnel inside the pad after external tank loading, including the flight crew, about 10 go/no go reports. He reported to the Launch Director, who has another about 5 go/no go reports. The Launch director declares if a mission is go for launch.
Checklist of firing room positions
Space Shuttle
- OTC – Orbiter Test Conductor Prime
- TBC – Tank/Booster Test Conductor and Tank/Booster Test Conductor Prime
- PTC – Payload Test Conductor
- LPS – Launch Processing System Test Conductors
- Houston Flight – Flight Director at the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center in Houston, TX
- MILA –
- STM – Support Test Manager
- Safety Console – Safety Console Coordinator
- SPE – Shuttle Project Engineer
- LRD – Landing and Recovery Director
- SRO – Superintendent of Range Operations
- CDR – Mission Commander
Apollo Program
In the Apollo program, the MCC launch status check was initiated by the Flight Director, or FLIGHT. The following "preflight check" order was used before the launch of Apollo 13:- BOOSTER – Booster Systems Engineer
- RETRO – Retrofire Officer
- FIDO – Flight Dynamics Officer
- GUIDANCE – Guidance Officer
- SURGEON – Flight Surgeon
- EECOM – Electrical, Environmental, and Consumables Management
- GNC – Guidance, Navigation, and Control Systems Engineer
- TELMU – Telemetry, Electrical, and EVA Mobility Unit Officer
- CONTROL – Flight Controller
- PROCEDURES – Procedures, or Organization and Procedures Officer
- INCO – Integrated Communications Officer
- FAO – Flight Activities Officer
- NETWORK – Network
- RECOVERY – Recovery Supervisor
- CAPCOM – Capsule Communicator