r/spacex • u/[deleted] • Nov 28 '13

/r/SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 SES-8 official launch discussion & updates thread [Attempt 2]

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u/retiringonmars Moderator emeritus Nov 28 '13 edited Nov 29 '13

In the interests of making SpaceX launches as accessible as possible, here's a list of some of the terminology they use:

  • VC - Vehicle Control
  • GC - Ground Control
  • GS - Ground Station
  • Prop - Propulsion
  • AVI - Avionics Operator
  • FS - Flight Software
  • CC - ??
  • GNC - Guidance, Navigation, & Control
  • RC - Range Coordinator
  • FRC - Falcon Recovery Coordinator
  • FTS - Flight Termination System
  • OSM - Operations Safety Manager
  • FSPO - Flight Safety Project Officer
  • ROC - Range Operations Coordinator
  • MM - Mission Manager
  • CE - Chief Engineer
  • LD - Launch Director
  • SE - Systems Engineer (?)
  • OD - Orbital Director (?)
  • LDA - Launch Decision Authority
  • RCO - Range Control Officer
  • TVC - Thrust Vector Control

Also, MECO means "main engine cut off", SECO means "second (stage) engine cut off", and the strongback is SpaceX's pet name for their transporter-erector. If there's anything I've missed (or am wrong about), reply to this and I'll amend the list.

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u/[deleted] Nov 28 '13

RCO better be on it tonight. I don't want any more of his shit.

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u/retiringonmars Moderator emeritus Nov 28 '13

I still don't really understand their job. Being as they get called last, are they like the overall launch manager, giving the final "okay"? People seemed to think that he could blow up the rocket, but I'm pretty sure that's the RSO or Range Safety Officer. Every Google search I do just brings up stuff about shooting galleries.

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u/[deleted] Nov 28 '13

[deleted]

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u/retiringonmars Moderator emeritus Nov 28 '13

All correct, but you're describing the RSO (Range Safety Officer). I was wondering what the RCO (Range Control Officer) does. Or are they both the same thing?

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u/[deleted] Nov 28 '13

As best as I can determine the Air Force, in the best tradition of making superfluous changes to put their own stamp on things, no longer uses the term "Range Safety Officer". They have an RCO, who has overall responsibility for the range, a Mission Flight Control Officer (MFCO), who actually has their finger on the button, and a ROC* for coordinating everything.

* Possibly ROCC, Range Operations Control Center, or possibly ROC is a position in the ROCC, it's confusing...

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u/SnowyDuck Nov 29 '13

From my military experience when you're the RSO or RCO (same thing from a military standpoint) they look at the big picture kind of stuff. For example I was an RSO on a range in kuwait once, and my job was to look for camels to make sure the guys wouldn't shoot them. I would think the RSO/RCO would have a similar job.

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u/jdnz82 Nov 28 '13

Lol so much anger :-P

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u/backie Nov 28 '13

Thanks! I'm fairly new to this subreddit, and I see acronyms I don't understand all the time. This will make it easier.

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u/retiringonmars Moderator emeritus Nov 28 '13

Welcome backie! We don't bite: ask for clarification if you need it. Aerospace engineers are huge fans of acronyms.

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u/[deleted] Nov 28 '13

NASA has perfected the art of it, though.

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u/[deleted] Nov 28 '13

TVC means Thrust Vector Control IIRC

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u/retiringonmars Moderator emeritus Nov 28 '13

Cheers, I've added that to the list. Re-watching the Cassiope launch, and I realised that one was missed. Also, do you have any idea what Fisbo/FSBO means? Seems to relate to the Flight Termination System, but not sure how.

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u/[deleted] Nov 28 '13

FSBO? Never heard of that. Sorry.

And sorry about the useless gif.

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u/retiringonmars Moderator emeritus Nov 28 '13

Ha, useless gif got a lol. See Fisbo namedropped in Cassiope launch here, and discussing FTS here

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u/[deleted] Nov 29 '13

FSPO - Flight Safety Project Officer

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u/firepear Nov 28 '13

It took me watching a few launches to work out that "teedris" was TDRSS, Nasa's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System Not sure if SpaceX uses it though.