Flight Procedures

1. HABET Flight Team Training Flight Procedures MRR/FRR Checklists Countdown and Flight Sequence SSOL Equipment and Software SSOL Communications Tracking, Prediction, and Weather FAA Faxes Return to the Main Training Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

2. HABET Flight Team Training Flight Team Training Background Procedures Return to the Main Training Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

3. HABET Flight Team Training Background This training is meant to help you become a safe and effective member of a HABET flight team operating out of the SSOL with the launch site being any nearby site. YES there is a lot of info in this training section, take your time… The flight team’s primary job is the tracking of the spacecraft and reception of data from the spacecraft during flight. That is, after launch and before landing. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

4. HABET Flight Team Training The flight team must begin operations prior to the MRR to ensure the SSOL is fully prepared for the flight. Although most flight procedures do not take long to complete, it is important that you are familiar with them before the flight, since you will not have time to learn about them while the spacecraft is flying. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

5. HABET Flight Team Training The flight director will direct you to follow certain procedures at certain times. However, if you notice that a procedure has been missed, or think that something is wrong in any way, it is YOUR responsibility to point this out to the flight director. Only trained members of the flight team are permitted to be in the area of the flight console or to operate any flight team equipment while a flight is in progress. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure this. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

6. HABET Flight Team Training MRR/FRR Checklists Flight team procedures begin prior to the MRR with the MRR Checklist. By following the MRR checklist, and later the FRR checklist, the flight director ensures that all procedures required to prepare the SSOL for the flight are completed. While it is the flight director who will follow the checklist, as a member of the team you should be familiar with it so that you can be sure no procedures are missed, and so that you understand when and why procedures need to be completed. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

7. HABET Flight Team Training Certain standard information can be found at the top of every flight team procedure. The master timeline reference indicates, if applicable, where on the Mission Manager’s timeline this procedure should be carried out. The recommended start time indicates, where applicable, the time that this procedure should be started during a normal HABET mission. This time is measured from some fixed marker in the mission, such as FRR, MRR, or Launch. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

8. HABET Flight Team Training Certain standard information can be found at the top of every flight team procedure. The estimated time to complete is the time it should take to complete the procedure for a person who is familiar with the procedure and who has completed it before. The responsibility for all flight procedures is designated as the Flight Director (FD). This means the FD is responsible for directing you as a team member to complete the procedure. Once directed, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that the procedure is completed correctly. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

9. HABET Flight Team Training Certain standard information can be found at the top of every flight team procedure. If there are rules associated with when or how the procedure should be carried out, they will be specified here. Lastly, if the procedure is dangerous, there may be a warning or caution notice underneath the rules. These warnings are extremely serious and should not be taken lightly or ignored under any circumstances. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

10. HABET Flight Team Training MRR Checklist The MRR checklist specifies the procedures to be carried out before and during the MRR. First, the fax which will be used to inform the FAA of our intent to fly a high altitude balloon should be prepared. More information on the FAA faxes can be found in the training section on the FAA faxes procedure. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

11. HABET Flight Team Training Second, the flight team must check all the equipment on the Flight Equipment Checklist is available for the mission. Once a piece of equipment is known to be available, it should be checked off in the MRR column of this list. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

12. HABET Flight Team Training Second, the flight team must check that all the equipment on the Flight Equipment Checklist is available for the mission. Note: At this time, checking that the equipment is functional is not required since this would require a functional, operating spacecraft, which may not be available before the MRR. However, if a piece of equipment is clearly not functional it should be noted and brought to the attention of the FD and MMGR. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

13. HABET Flight Team Training Third, before the MRR, the FD must ensure that all required training for prospective flight team members has been completed, or waivers obtained. Note: If you have not completed the training satisfactorily, you will not be allowed to be a member of the flight team. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

14. HABET Flight Team Training Fourth, during the MRR, the FD reports on the above areas and, if all is okay, specifies the team as Go for the mission. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

15. HABET Flight Team Training Finally, if the MRR decision is Go, the fax is sent, and the FD begins the FRR checklist. Otherwise, a new MRR is scheduled and the checklist is repeated at that time. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

16. HABET Flight Team Training FRR Checklist The FRR checklist specifies the procedures to be carried out before and during the FRR. The flight team must report to the SSOL at least 1½ hours before the start of the FRR, since several procedures must be completed before the flight team can be sure that the SSOL is fully prepared for a flight. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

17. HABET Flight Team Training First, the flight equipment and software must be setup in the SSOL. Further information on this is found in the SSOL Equipment and Software training. Second, A flight path prediction and an analysis of the local weather conditions must be made. Further information on this can be found in the Tracking, Prediction, and Weather training. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

18. HABET Flight Team Training Third, the fax to be sent to the FAA must be prepared. This fax indicates the predicted flight path and landing site. Fourth, all training and waivers must be complete. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

19. HABET Flight Team Training During the FRR, any problems encountered in the above items are discussed. Problems may mean that the FD has specify the flight team as No-Go for the mission. In addition, the predicted flight path and local weather are discussed. The flight path is only Go if it: • does not traverse any No-Fly zones • and does not end in a No-Landing zone • and ends within acceptable range of the recovery team • and does not pass through any thunderstorm clouds. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

20. HABET Flight Team Training If the FRR decision is Go, the fax is sent, and the FD begins the Flight Countdown Timeline. At this time, the SSOL is prepared to begin the countdown sequence. All equipment and software is left running from now until after the spacecraft has landed. Do NOT shutdown software or equipment at this stage unless specifically instructed to do so by the Flight Director, Mission Manager, HABET Manager, or SSOL Manager. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

21. HABET Flight Team Training Countdown and Flight Sequence The procedures to be carried out between the end of the FRR and the end of the mission are specified in three documents: The Countdown Timeline specifies procedures up until spacecraft launch. The Flight Procedures Sequence specifies the sequence of procedures to be carried out during the flight. The Flight Team Cleanup specifies shutdown and cleanup of software/equipment after landing of the spacecraft. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

22. HABET Flight Team Training Countdown Timeline The countdown is started by the FD immediately after the end of the FRR. The FD then begins working through the Countdown Timeline. Flight Team members will usually need to arrive at the SSOL 2½ before the planned launch time. However, the FD may choose to alter this under certain conditions. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

23. HABET Flight Team Training At the first opportunity on flight day, the flight path prediction and local weather status should be updated. If the weather or upper atmosphere winds result in a situation where we cannot fly, it is important to know this as soon as possible. These updates are achieved by following the Launch Day Prediction Update Procedure and the Local Weather Status Procedure. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

24. HABET Flight Team Training The countdown timeline is organized into a sequence of checkpoints. At each checkpoint, certain procedures by each of the teams have to be complete in order to continue with the countdown. Checkpoints These checkpoints are labeled with the time left until launch. For example, L- 2:10 means that this checkpoint should be reached at 2 hours and 10 minutes before launch. The FD will write in the actual time that the checkpoint was reached in the space provided. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

25. HABET Flight Team Training At L- 2:20, the FD will direct team members to begin the Visual Communications Setup Procedure. This involves setting up a camera in the faculty mail room to provide video of the launch site on the big screen TV in the SSOL. More information can be found in the SSOL Communications Training. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

26. HABET Flight Team Training At L- 2:10, the Mission Manager (MMGR) will initiate a roll call for go for external power. This occurs when the launch team has reached the appropriate stage in their procedures. The MMGR will ask each director if their teams are ready to put the spacecraft on external power. If something is seriously wrong with flight equipment or software, then the FD may decide that the flight team is No-Go. The mission is then put on hold until the problem can be resolved. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

27. HABET Flight Team Training At L- 2:09 (immediately after external power is applied to the spacecraft), the FD must verify that transmission from the spacecraft is being received in the SSOL. If transmission is not being received, the FD and LD will coordinate their teams to work to resolve the problem. However, note that at this stage it is against HABET regulations to unseal the spacecraft enclosure in order to resolve a problem. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

28. HABET Flight Team Training At L- 1:41, the FD must verify from the transmitted data that the spacecraft GPS receiver has locked onto satellites (GPS lock) and that Visual Comm setup is complete. GPS lock can be identified by observing the time stamp on the data received from the spacecraft. If the timestamp increments each time a line of data is received, then there is GPS lock. If the time stamp remains the same, then there is no GPS lock. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

29. HABET Flight Team Training At L- 1:40 (immediately following verification of GPS lock), the MMGR will initiate a roll call for “Go for Fill”. If there are no problems with any of the teams, all will be Go, and the MMGR will direct the LD to begin filling the balloon. If it becomes clear that the actual launch time will be less than or greater than 30 minutes from the proposed launch time, the FD will direct a team member to notify the FAA of this by fax. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

30. HABET Flight Team Training When the launch team has finished filling the balloon, the LD will communicate this to the FD and MMGR. At this point, a flight team member will be directed to begin logging data on the console data computer. The computer will have been set up to run the Telix terminal software, so all that is required is to press Alt-L to begin logging and then enter a filename as specified in the procedure. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

31. HABET Flight Team Training At L- 0:15, shortly after fill is complete, the MMGR will initiate a roll call for internal power. All flight equipment and software should be operating correctly before the FD will give a Go for the flight team. The flight team must continually monitor for good reception of data in the lab, and check GPS lock from that data. Any problems at this stage will cause the FD to call a No-Go for flight until the problems are resolved. In any No-Go situation, the countdown is paused. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

32. HABET Flight Team Training At L- 0:02, the MMGR will initiate a roll call for launch. If all is well, the MMGR will inform the LD that the mission is Go for launch. At this point, a flight team member will be directed to begin the video recording of the SSOL view of the launch site. Information on this is found in the SSOL Communications Setup Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

33. HABET Flight Team Training The launch director will direct the launch and then communicate “Spacecraft Clear” to all directors and the MMGR when the spacecraft has cleared the WOI Radar tower. Control has now passed from the launch team to the flight team. The beginning of the flight, immediately following launch, is by far the busiest time of the mission for the flight team, so be prepared for some hectic action! Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

34. HABET Flight Team Training Immediately following launch, the flight team should stop the recording of the launch site, and switch the big screen display to flight mode. In flight mode, the view of the launch site is replaced by a real-time map of the spacecraft’s ground position. The flight team must also notify the FAA of the launch by fax. The FD will then begin executing the Flight Procedures Sequence. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

35. HABET Flight Team Training Flight Procedures Sequence The FD begins the Flight Procedures Sequence immediately following launch. There are a whole slew of procedures which need to be performed during flight. The Flight Procedures Sequence specifies when each procedure should be performed by altitude position of the spacecraft. Altitudes on all procedures are in feet. For example, 18K Ascent means at 18,000 feet during the spacecraft’s ascent. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

36. HABET Flight Team Training Post Launch A member of the flight team should perform the Post-Launch Prediction Update procedure immediately following launch. This prediction takes into account the actual ascent rate of the spacecraft, rather than just using the predicted ascent rate. The Recovery Team should be provided with the new predicted landing site as soon as possible. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

37. HABET Flight Team Training Throughout flight It is important that the SSOL antenna be kept pointing in the direction of the spacecraft throughout the flight. Usually, the antenna position will only need to be adjusted once every 15 minutes or so. However, near the end of a long flight, when the signal is weak, it may need to be adjusted more frequently than this. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

38. HABET Flight Team Training Throughout flight The FD may wish to perform manual tracking of the spacecraft throughout the flight. Although manual tracking is not required, it can act as a backup in case of a serious computer failure. Generally, other tasks should always be performed first. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

39. HABET Flight Team Training FAA Faxes At 18K and 45K on ascent, then again at 45K and 18K on descent, and finally on landing, a fax must be sent to the FAA to inform them of the spacecraft position at that time. These faxes can be generated by the flight software as described in the FAA Faxes training. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

40. HABET Flight Team Training Burst or Cutdown When the balloon bursts or the spacecraft is cut away from the balloon, the FD will announce “Spacecraft Away”. At this point a team member must perform the Post-Burst/Cutdown Prediction Update procedure, which uses all the data gathered on the ascent to calculate the descent flight path and landing position. The FD will then inform the recovery team of this new landing position. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

41. HABET Flight Team Training Flight Anomaly If, at burst/cutdown, the flight path is significantly different from the original prediction sent to the FAA, the FD may decide to send a flight anomaly fax to the FAA. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

42. HABET Flight Team Training 18K and 10K Descent As the spacecraft gets closer to the ground, the prediction software must be re-run at least twice (18K and 10K) to obtain as accurate a prediction of landing as possible. The FD can then inform the recovery team of the new landing position so that they can move into place ready to recover the spacecraft. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

43. HABET Flight Team Training On Landing On landing, the FAA is sent the last notification fax, the FD debriefs with the MMGR, and the flight team is directed to perform the Flight Team Cleanup procedure. After this, the flight team can be dismissed. At the end of the mission, the FD attends the End Of Flight (EOF) meeting. Team members are welcome to attend the EOF, but this is not required. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

44. HABET Flight Team Training Flight Team Cleanup Flight team cleanup is straightforward. Essentially, it involves closing software, logging off computers, and powering down equipment. Simply follow the procedure to ensure everything is shut down properly. DO NOT however shut down the flight console software or any other software during a mission. Also DO NOT shutdown Flight Console without the Director’s permission. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

45. HABET Flight Team Training SSOL Equipment and Software During a HABET flight numerous items of hardware and software must be integrated. The SSOL must allow the flight team to: Video record the launch site Receive and record flight data Track the spacecraft Display flight info on the big screen Predict spacecraft flight Communicate with launch and recovery teams Keep the FAA informed via fax Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

46. HABET Flight Team Training Equipment/Software Overview The organization of the equipment in the SSOL required for receiving and recording data from the spacecraft is shown to the right. Antenna The signal from the spacecraft is received by a Yaesu radio on the amateur band frequency of 446.375 MHz via an antenna on the roof of Howe Hall. Radio Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

47. HABET Flight Team Training The analog signal from the radio is fed into a PacComm TNC. The TNC acts in a similar way to a modem in that it demodulates the signal into a bit stream. This bit stream was created on the spacecraft to conform with the X.25 protocol. Since the TNC also talks X.25, it is able to determine frame boundaries and perform checksum error detection. TNC Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

48. HABET Flight Team Training Once the TNC has received an error-free frame, it outputs this on an RS232 digital serial port. This signal is split by a custom RS232 splitter and directed to two computers - the Console Data Computer (Goddard) on the right end of the console and the Console Control Computer (Thor) in the middle of the console. Thor Goddard Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

49. HABET Flight Team Training The Console Data Computer (Goddard) runs a simple MS-DOS terminal emulator called Telix. This provides a reliable method for recording and displaying mission data no mater what else is going on in the lab. Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC

50. HABET Flight Team Training Thor runs a piece of custom software called Serial Broadcast System (SBS). SBS takes the data on the serial port, processes it in various ways, then transmits it using the TCP/IP protocols onto the lab Ethernet network. This makes all mission data available to all computers on the SSOL network. SBSsoftware Multiple PC’son lab LAN Return to the Main Training Menu HABETProcedures Menu HABETFlight Menu HABETTeam Menu ESC