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the previous two shifts. Change-of-shift press conferences with offgoing flight directors generally take place 30 minutes to an hour after the shift handovers have been completed.
The four flight control teams for this mission will be referred to as the Ascent/Entry, Orbit 1, Orbit 2 and Orbit 3 teams. The ascent and entry phases will be conducted by Flight Director N. W. (Wayne) Hale. The Orbit 1 team will be headed by STS-35 Lead Flight Director Gary Coen. The Orbit 2 team, responsible for activation and deactivation of the Spacelab payload, will be led by G. A. {Al) Pennington. The Orbit 3 team will be directed by R.E. (Bob) Castle.
MCC Positions and Call Signs for STS-35
The flight control positions in the MCC, and their responsibilities, are:
Flight Director (FLIGHT)
Has overall responsibility for the conduct of the mission.
Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM)
By tradition an astronaut; responsible for all voice contact with the flight crew.
Flight Activities Officer (FAO)
Responsible for procedures and crew timelines; provides expertise on Flight documentation and checklists; prepares messages and maintains all teleprinter and/or Text and Graphics System traffic to the vehicle.
Integrated Communications Officer (INCO)
Responsible for all Orbiter data, voice and video communications systems; monitors the telemetry link between the vehicle and the ground; oversees the uplink command and control processes.
Flight Dynamics Officer (FDO)
Responsible for monitoring vehicle performance during the powered flight phase and assessing abort modes; calculating orbital maneuvers and resulting trajectories; and monitoring vehicle flight profile and energy levels during reentry.
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