[ Beep ]
[ Music ]
[ Inaudible Radio Call ]
>> Bermuda.
>> Bermuda's green.
>> Vangard.
>> [inaudible] is green.
>> Ascension.
>> Ascension go.
>> [inaudible] Houston network net one.
>> [inaudible] read you loud and clear.
We're a go except for that [inaudible].
>> This is Mission Control,
Houston where all the basic decisions are made during an
Apollo mission.
From here, flight controllers direct a mission
from the time the spacecraft is launched until it is recovered.
This is the focal point for all critical information
on the spacecraft and the flight crew,
where real time decisions must be constantly made.
It is also from here that the world gets news firsthand
and can follow the progress of the flight almost
as fast as it's happening.
[ Inaudible Radio Chatter ]
There are two control rooms.
Each can be used independently,
and a separate mission can be handled
in each at the same time.
Apollo flights are also supported by launch facilities
at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
>> [inaudible] Honeysuckle network net one.
>> Honeysuckle read you loud and clear.
Our status is green.
>> Rudder [inaudible].
>> Launch vehicle monitors at the Marshall Spaceflight Center
in Alabama, and a worldwide communications network
of tracking stations through the Goddard Spaceflight Center
in Maryland.
The network of tracking stations
and the mission control center are joined
by the communications command and telemetry system.
This message carrying system is the communications link
between the spacecraft and the ground.
The system consists of three digital computers,
two of them provide for mission support.
While one is in use, the second stands by, and the third is used
for Apollo program development.
This computing complex, one of the world's largest, collects,
processes, and sends to Mission Control all the information
needed to direct every phase of the Apollo mission
at over three times the speed of earlier systems.
The complex works in real time, meaning almost as fast
as events are happening.
>> Dynamic [inaudible].
>> During the Apollo mission,
the main mission operations control room is supported
by six nearby staff support rooms.
In these rooms, men keep close tabs
on the various systems of the spacecraft.
They check the information flowing in and establish trends
for long term performance.
Throughout the mission, flight controllers constantly check
and analyze the status of the spacecraft.
Are all systems operating within pre-established limits?
Are mission events occurring as planned?
[ Inaudible Radio Chatter ]
The physical conditions
of the flight crew are also of prime concern.
Are respiration rates normal?
Should the astronauts drink more water?
>> You got it up there, Gunn?
>> Yeah, I got it.
That's pretty good.
>> Okay, and [inaudible].
>> Digital [inaudible].
>> Through all the phases of the Apollo mission,
the real time computing complex provides flight controllers
with the display information they need
to make recommendations concerning the flight crew
and the spacecraft.
Near the end of the Apollo mission, when reentry is
about to begin, it is, again, the computer complex
which provides updated information
for the spacecraft computer
so that Apollo can make a controlled reentry.
Mission Control, through its vast communications
and computing resources finally directs the recovery
of the flight crew.
>> Okay. Aircraft and ships.
Now, we got this [inaudible].
>> Go ahead retro.
>> Source for high speed from Canary to nets reading 107.3.
So, we got to find [inaudible].
>> Control of an Apollo mission, be it an earth orbital flight
or a trip to the moon, takes place in this room.
Success depends on the flight controllers and the critical,
real time decisions they must make
for the astronauts and their spacecraft.
>> We're green.
[inaudible] two.
>> Okay.
>> [inaudible] yaw.
How's it look for nominals, George?
>> Go with the nominals.
>> Roger that.
>> One hundred percent.
>> You bet.
>> We're home.