This diagram shows the layout of the Servicing Mission Operations Room, left, and the Mission Operations Room with a staffing outline.

Space telescope operations -- including health and safety of the spacecraft, efficient operation and flight system engineering of the obserservatory -- are the responsibility of NASA contractors under the Mission Operations, System Engineering and Software (MOSES) contract. Pictured is Preston Burch

The Operations Manager (OM) is NASA's space telescope project operational representative. The OM manages and provides technical direction to the Flight Operations Team during normal HST operations activities, engineering tests and simulations. This functional position assures project representation around the clock to meet day-to-day mission objectives. The OM, while on duty, is responsible for the overall operations and health and safety of the observatory in orbit. Pictured is Chris Wilkinson

The Shift Supervisor (SS)is the lead member of each Flight Operations (FO) team. Pictured is Dick Turcotte

The Science Instrument/Command and Data Handling/Thermal Control Subsystem/Pointing Control System Flight Controller is responsible for the Health and safety of the science instruments and the science instrument command and data handling subsystem. Pictured is Theresa Richter

This flight controller also monitors the status of the onboard NSSC-1 computer, which controls the payload, and its interface with the onboard DF-224 engineering computer and the science instruments. The thermal state of the spacecraft also is monitored by this flight controller. This flight controller also is responsible for the health and safety of the pointing control subsystem and for verifying its nominal performance, including the state of the gyros, reaction wheels, and safing system.

The flight controller monitors all target acquisitions and verifies that the spacecraft is stable. This controller also ensures that the optical telescope assembly is within thermal limits and monitors the status of the fine guidance sensors. The controller advises the Shift Supervisor in the event of ananomaly involving these subsystems and recommends any commanding necessary to safeguard the vehicle or payload Notice the HST schedule on the desk. The schedule during our March 14th broacast may be seen by clicking here

Data Management Subsystem/Instrumentation and Control/Structures and Mechanisms Flight Controller monitors the performance of the onboard DF-224 engineering computer and performs onboard tape recorder management. Pictured is Ed Olson

The Data Management Subsystem/Instrumentation and Control/Structures and Mechanisms Flight Controller monitors the performance of the onboard DF-224 engineering computer and performs onboard tape recorder management. This flight controller also is responsible for the flow of commands to, and data from, the space telescope and determines the proper data mode, telemetry rate, format, and receiver and transmitter configurations to support this function. This flight controller monitors the mode and quality of the forward and return links between the HST and the Space Network or the Ground Network and verifies the correct pointing of the high-gain antennae.

The Flight Controller verifies the performance of the space telescope's batteries during their use in Earth shadow and recharging in sunlight, and ensures that the solar arrays are positioned correctly to maximize power to the spacecraft. In the event of an anomaly involving any of these subsystems, the controller advises the Shift Supervisor and recommends any commanding necessary to safeguard the vehicle or payload.