A side-by-side comparison of the mission controls of NASA and SpaceX
The truth revealed in pictures: A side-by-side comparison of the mission controls of NASA and SpaceX during Dragon’s arrival at ISS.
The differences tell us a lot. I ask an additional question: Why was there a need for two full mission controls?
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The truth revealed in pictures: A side-by-side comparison of the mission controls of NASA and SpaceX during Dragon’s arrival at ISS.
The differences tell us a lot. I ask an additional question: Why was there a need for two full mission controls?
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
One was for the station and the other for Dragon. They did the same for shuttles and for when the Euro ATV’s. I assume its because they are two seperate spacecraft until they are joined.
Just curious as to what truth was revealed? Houston control for ISS has been there for many years and has to be operational 24/7. All the binders are probably the mission rules in case all the computer fail and they need hard copy. For SpaceX I’m betting it looks bare because the flight will only last days so they don’t need anything fancy at the moment. Some better views are at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/7270451890/
Short answer: You probably only need one.
Long answer: I suspect until space travel matures, each company / organization is going to need some going of mission control center to manage the flights of its vehicles. At some point in the future I can foresee a system similar to air traffic control being where control of spacecraft could become centralized in some way, removing the need for each individual company to build their own control centers.
Also, given this was a test flight there were many more SpaceX engineers on duty than normal.
I wonder how JPL runs all of their missions. I know they have a control room but don’t they farm out the day to day stuff to other universities or project offices?
I know LASP has it’s own MOC, so I suspect others do as well. It’s not always manned but the computers are always running.
http://lasp.colorado.edu/home/mission-ops-data/