Draft:Huntsville Operations Support Center

• Comment: Please check whether these are the same. If not, please resubmit this draft with an explanation of how the two articles differ. Robert McClenon (talk) 05:27, 27 December 2023 (UTC)

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The Huntsville Operations Support Center located at the Marshall Space Flight Center.

The Huntsville Operation Support Center (HOSC) is a NASA facility at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama that provides ground system and flight operation capabilities for a variety of programs and missions.  The HOSC currently supports missions such as the International Space Station (ISS), Space Launch System (SLS), the Commercial Crew Program (CCP), and small satellite missions, but it is continuing to grow in supporting additional commercial missions and future lunar operations. As such, the HOSC is working to improve its ability to scale support and mission capabilities to provide a wide variety of support to mission flight operations.

History

Built in 1959, the HOSC has a rich history of providing ground systems, flight operations, and engineering support for NASA missions. The HOSC has provided pre-launch and flight engineering support for the Redstone, Atlas, and Saturn launch vehicles. In 1964, NASA established the Launch Information Exchange Facility (LIEF) to expedite communication and information transfer between Kennedy Space Center (KSC) launch engineers and development engineers in Huntsville. The LIEF provided real-time displays and transmission of information for pre-launch, launch, and flight evaluation operations. In support of Saturn launches, engineers monitored telemetry received from KSC and gave technical advice to launch operators, while also providing guidance to counter any malfunctions in the rocket systems.

Apollo Mission Support

Through the LIEF, the HOSC also supported the Apollo missions by hosting training and simulation exercises as well as providing engineering support to launch operations. Starting in 1964 with the Saturn-Apollo 5 (SA-5) launch, MSFC engineers provided support for all subsequent Saturn launches which included real-time weather monitoring with the Meteorological Data System. The HOSC supported a total of 32 successful Saturn launches. During the Apollo 15, 16, and 17 missions, the HOSC also provided around-the-clock engineering support to Houston Mission Control for the Lunar Rover Vehicle (LRV) missions. These engineers assisted in troubleshooting and ensuring vehicle performance and operations.

Skylab

In addition to the Apollo program, the Skylab mission was supported by the HOSC throughout its lifespan. The HOSC provided engineering support during pre-launch, launch, and real-time mission support, including troubleshooting during off-nominal operations. The HOSC team in support Skylab consisted of over 400 engineers who worked on the hardware development of Skylab. During the Skylab 1 mission, when the solar array started deploying during launch, the HOSC worked with Marshall engineers and Mission Control to troubleshoot and repair Skylab. During the Skylab 2 mission, HOSC engineers supported the repair and ensured the safety of the astronauts. In addition, the HOSC received, stored, and analyzed real-time mission data from Skylab and supported onboard payload operations. HOSC support for payload operations on Skylab set a precedent that led to HOSC support of payload operations in Spacelab and the ISS.

Space Shuttle Program

Throughout the Space Shuttle Program, the HOSC provided pre-launch and launch engineering support, through the Space Transportation System (STS) Engineering Support Center (SESC). Additionally, The HOSC supported Space Shuttle payloads including the deployment of four Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) and engineering support for the Hubble Space Telescope. The HOSC also supported Spacelab via the Spacelab Payload Operations Control Center (POCC) at the HOSC. They directed onboard payload operations and assisted with challenges for 22 Spacelab missions.  

Missions and Capabilities

The HOSC is a multi-mission facility and provides the infrastructure, hardware, and software required to plan and execute flight operations. In support of multi-mission capabilities, the Data Operations Control Room (DOCR) operates 24/7 in the HOSC to provide critical ground support to both local and remote users as well as to all control rooms and facilities. The DOCR is responsible for monitoring and configuring ground systems and ensuring HOSC capabilities for all tests, simulations, and flight operations. The HOSC stores data coming in and out of the HOSC for redundancy and to enable on-demand playback. The DOCR also manages access to HOSC databases and the data available for on-demand playback. Therefore, the DOCR is at the heart of HOSC operations and provides critical support and maintenance of HOSC ground systems.

ISS

In support of the ISS, the HOSC houses the Payload Operations Integration Center (POIC) which serves as the hub to conduct science and payload operations on the station. It provides 24/7 support for scientific and payload operations onboard the ISS through the POIC located in Payload Control Area 1 (PCA-1) at the HOSC. The POIC works alongside the Mission Control Center (MCC) at Johnson Space Center (JSC), international partners like Roscosmos, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), as well as commercial partners such as SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing to ensure the safety of the astronauts, the vehicle, and the execution of science. The HOSC has supported hundreds of payloads on the ISS including the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), Cold Atom Lab, the Human Research Program, and many others to assist in advancements in fields including physics, biology, astronomy, and meteorology. Additionally, the HOSC supports ISS science operations by planning and coordinating the allocation of onboard resources so that Payload Developers (PDs) can monitor, interact, and receive data from their payloads.

This HOSC also maintains the Backup Control Center (BCC) which serves as a backup to the MCC in Houston. In the event of severe weather, or any event causing the Houston flight controllers to be unable to control the ISS from the MCC, the HOSC can support ISS flight control operations and accommodate Houston flight controllers in the BCC. When this control room is not in use by Houston, it serves as a backup for PCA-1 during maintenance and as a facility to conduct training and simulations.

Laboratory Training Complex (LTC)

As a training tool for flight controllers and PDs, the HOSC houses the Laboratory Training Complex (LTC) which features a mock-up of the U.S. Laboratory module on the ISS. This facility consists of hardware and software capabilities that mimic the ISS onboard systems such as EXPRESS (Expediting the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station) Racks and the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG), allowing for effective training for flight controllers and payload developers. The LTC also features “glass racks” which are interactive displays of ISS hardware and payload racks that allow for training on the ISS payload hardware and execution of specific procedures. This facility offers a hands-on training capability for flight controllers while also providing PDs with the ability to perform “fit checks” of their payloads prior to launch. It also has the capability to create hardware mockups for training purposes using its 3D printers. The LTC is currently working to become a multi-mission training facility for HOSC customers.

Artemis and SLS

The Space Launch System (SLS) Engineering Support Center (SESC) at the HOSC provides engineering support for pre-launch, launch, and post-launch analysis of SLS. The SESC was previously used by the Space Shuttle program, but it has been repurposed to support SLS. This center provides real-time engineering support from MSFC engineers for SLS launch operations. This center also offers key engineering personnel to help monitor and solve challenges as they arise during launch operations. It consists of a main room, SLS Action Center (SAC), and several conference work areas. In addition to engineering support, the SESC also houses Natural Environments & Mission Analysis (NEMA) which performs mission critical weather analysis to ensure a safe and successful launch. The HOSC provides SLS engineers with telemetry, voice, and video to provide real-time support for launch operations. The HOSC also uses the SESC to support specific SLS events such as joint simulations and wet dress rehearsals. In addition to real-time support, the HOSC is responsible for storing the SLS Integrated Avionics test facilities data.

Lunar Exploration

Looking to future moon missions, the HOSC has developed the Lunar Utilization Control Area (LUCA) to support operations on the moon including the Human Landing System (HLS) and Gateway. Similar to ISS operations, LUCA is designed to support payload operations on the Lunar Gateway, but it will incorporate greater automation capabilities than are currently used in ISS support. LUCA is also planned to be used to support the Lunar Node 1 mission. The HOSC is working to expand and adapt current capabilities to meet the needs of lunar missions.

Telescience Resource Kit (TReK)

The HOSC created and supports the Telescience Resource Kit (TReK) that connects user to their space systems. It was created by the HOSC to support PD access to their payloads onboard the ISS, allowing them to receive data and command to their payloads. TReK allows remote access to HOSC systems so remote users can receive, process, display, record, and forward data as well as send command to their systems. TReK also allows for encryption of Internet Protocol (IP) and Bundle Protocol (BP) packets and transfer of data using both User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). TReK users can connect to HOSC services such as the HOSC Payload Ethernet Gateway (HPEG), Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN), Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) File Delivery Protocol (CFDP). DTN uses a store and forward model to transfer data from the ground to the onboard system even if there is not a consistent connection between all nodes in the path, increasing effective communication between TReK users and space systems. TReK is used throughout the HOSC and its customers to support its missions including ISS small satellite missions, and Gateway.

Small Satellite Projects

Capable of supporting a variety of missions, the HOSC has several Configurable Control Rooms (CCR) to provide support and services to commercial missions. For example, the HOSC has supported the Commercial Crew Program (CCP), providing infrastructure and ground systems for SpaceX and Boeing missions. This support includes mission preparation, simulations, and real-time flight operations. These CCRs have also been used the support small satellite missions such as Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) Scout. In support of the NEA Scout project, the HOSC would have functioned as the Missions Operations Center (MOC), allowing operators to receive telemetry and send commands to NEA Scout. Unfortunately, contact with the NEA Scout spacecraft was never established following the Artemis 1 launch. The HOSC is continuing to develop its CCRs to support a wide variety of missions with the capability to scale support based on the mission requirements.

References

The Huntsville Operations Support Center at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. NASA

The Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC) is situated within building 4663 at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Established to support NASA’s early space endeavors, the HOSC has played a significant role in various programs, from the Apollo and Skylab missions to the Space Shuttle and International Space Station operations. Today, the center is involved in the Artemis program and supports the Commercial Crew Program. The facility is equipped with a diverse array of operational capabilities, including the Payload Operations Integration Center, Commercial Crew Control Rooms, and the Space Launch System Engineering Support Center. Additionally, it houses a backup for the Mission Control Center Houston for use in emergencies. The HOSC’s various facilities, such as the Configurable Control Rooms, Data Operations Control Room, and Mission Training Complex, showcase its readiness to adapt to the evolving demands of space exploration and support.

Apollo Missions

The HOSC at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center played a critical role in the Apollo program, notably in the development of the Saturn rockets. Wernher von Braun, the chief architect of the Saturn V launch vehicle, served as the center's first director. Under his leadership, the HOSC, along with the Marshall Flight Control Team, provided extensive engineering support for the Saturn rockets. This team worked closely with the Mission Control Center to ensure the success of the missions, blending innovative engineering with rigorous testing and operational support.

Skylab

The HOSC provided engineering support for each of the Saturn 1B launches that were used in the deployment of Skylab from the pre-launch stage to after de-orbiting. During the hiatus of manned spaceflight from the completion of Apollo Soyuz in 1975 to the first Space Shuttle flight in 1981, the HOSC was "mothballed" (deactivated but left intact). It was reactivated to support the Space Shuttle program.

Shuttle Program

The HOSC was increasingly utilized to support both the Shuttle vehicles and the payloads onboard the shuttle. The first primary engineering support provided by the HOSC was to support the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope. The HOSC was eventually expanded to move the Payload Operations out of Johnson Space Center and into the HOSC to support the shuttle program. After the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster the HOSC became the headquarters of the investigation team as it contained all the relevant engineering and payload data. The HOSC continued to support the Spacelab mission when NASA returned to manned spaceflight in 1988. 22 Spacelab missions were managed successfully by the Payload Operations Control Center inside of the HOSC.

Following the success of the Spacelab missions, the HOSC was tasked with designing a similar set of facilities that the Payload Operations Center had for Spacelab to support the International Space Station.

Artemis Program

The Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC) at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center is integral to the Artemis program, managing the Space Launch System Engineering Support Center. This center was pivotal in the preparation for Artemis I, the maiden launch of the SLS rocket. The team at the center conducts simulations covering all aspects of the mission, from the launch countdown to flight operations, ensuring the functionality of facilities and readiness for any challenges that may arise during launch. With over 200 experts from NASA and industry involved, the center supports real-time data monitoring, problem-solving, and coordination with other teams across the country.

For each Artemis launch, the SLS Engineering Support Center will work closely with the Launch Control Center at Kennedy Space Center to monitor the SLS rocket's health and the environmental conditions. Post-launch, the center will coordinate with Mission Control at Johnson Space Center for the remainder of the mission. The rigorous pre-launch simulations conducted at the center are critical for the success of Artemis I, which aims to send the Orion spacecraft around the Moon and back, paving the way for future crewed lunar missions.

In addition, the HOSC conducts simulations covering all aspects of the mission, from the launch countdown to flight operations, including the critical wet dress rehearsal and trans-lunar injection (TLI) simulations. These TLI simulations are essential for ensuring the spacecraft's trajectory towards the Moon is accurate and safe. Extensive pre-launch activities also involve powering on the rocket, systems checkouts, propellant loading, and thermal conditioning to validate the readiness of the SLS for the Artemis missions.

HOSC Facilities

Backup Control Room for Mission Control Houston

The Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC) at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center serves a critical role as the Backup Control Center (BCC) for the International Space Station (ISS), should the primary Mission Control Center (MCC) at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, become inoperative. Due to its vulnerability to hurricanes and their associated risks such as flooding, wind damage, and power outages, the Johnson Space Center has an established contingency plan with HOSC. In the event of such emergencies, HOSC is fully equipped and ready to take over operations, ensuring the continuous management of mission operations for the ISS. This capability is a testament to the foresight and planning of NASA to maintain uninterrupted support for human spaceflight missions.

Configurable Control Rooms

During significant missions such as the SpaceX Crew-7 mission, the Configurable Control Room (CCR) within the Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC) is vital for monitoring and supporting launch operations. The CCR's adaptability allows for comprehensive oversight of spacecraft, payload, and launch conditions, contributing to NASA's Commercial Crew Program's overarching goal. The support from HOSC starts well in advance with rigorous flight readiness checks and continues through the launch, where teams meticulously monitor the spacecraft's hardware and telemetry. This dedication to detail ensures the safety of the crew and the success of missions to the International Space Station (ISS), underscoring the HOSC's crucial role in facilitating safe, reliable, and cost-effective crew transport.

Data Operations Control Room

Inside the Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC), the Data Operations Control Room (DOCR) is an essential hub where a dedicated team supports voice, video, and multiple data links, ensuring robust communication between the spacecraft and mission control on Earth. This facility played a crucial role during the NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 mission, processing telemetry to and from the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft during all phases of flight.

Mission Training Complex

The Mission Training Complex (MTC) at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center serves as a comprehensive facility for the development of mission training resources. It specializes in creating everything from individual asset mockups to full-scale training environments. Utilizing advanced technologies, the MTC develops cost-effective virtual mockups and environments, including touchscreen-based trainers and extended reality (XR) applications. The complex supports Human Factors testing, features a simulated Joint Station LAN, video interfaces, and provides payload systems command and telemetry training to facilitate science operations.

Commercial Crew Control Rooms

The Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC) plays a pivotal role in the success of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. They've supported missions such as SpaceX Demo-2 and Crew-1 which were suppported throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The introduction of the Commercial Crew Program marked the commencement of a new chapter in human spaceflight, with American astronauts once again launching from U.S. soil. This milestone was achieved with the launch of NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft on May 30, 2020. This mission, known as Demo-2, was a precursor to the first crew rotation mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which took place on November 15, 2020. The Crew-1 mission comprised NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency mission specialist Soichi Noguchi.

During these historic launches, Marshall's team was stationed at the HOSC, monitoring launch conditions and maintaining critical communication with the flight control teams at Kennedy Space Center, Johnson Space Center, and SpaceX's headquarters.