Flight Director

Bismillah,

FD: "Okay guys, we're 15 minutes earlier than scheduled but I want everyone to keep an eye on your own station now, so I'd like to call everyone to set up one at a time ... Booster ... FIDO ... GNC ... EECOM ... EVA ... Eagle ... "

The conversation above might be an example of how a Flight Director or usually called "Flight" by fellow controllers at launch control calls every station prior to space vehicle launch i.e. rocket(s). A Flight Director task is similar to a conductor in an orchestra, where he/she is responsible for the entire flight with supporting teams mentioned in the conversation example above.

Flight orchestrated the entire flight by the time the rocket is still on its launch platform. reaches a point where it should release its payload or enters a desired orbit until the rocket reenters the earth. When a rocket stands on its launch platform about 2-3 minutes before launching countdown all stations should have prepared well for the flight. Every station engineer should monitor each component pertaining to their duty; for example, Booster engineer monitors the rocket propulsion system and recommends appropriate actions in case a problem occurred, GNC or Guidance Navigation Control engineer monitors the rocket spatial orientation, translational+rotational control, and navigation system.

If anything goes wrong during the flight, a Flight Director must respond correctly and take proper actions against it. One of the notable Flight Directors handling problems during flight is Eugene Kranz or known as Gene Kranz who was a Flight Director of Apollo 13; his successful effort to save the crew of Apollo 13 back home is an example of controllers teamwork under his command.

--Dimas