Space Flight Operations Facility
Template:Use mdy dates Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
The Space Flight Operations Facility (SFOF) is a building containing a control room and related computing and communications equipment areas at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. NASA's Deep Space Network is operated from this facility. The SFOF has monitored and controlled all interplanetary and deep space exploration for NASA and other international space agencies since 1964. The facility also acted as a backup communications facility for Apollo missions.[1]
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1985 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.[1][2]
Public tours are available with advance planning.[3]
History
In the early years, the operations control center of the Deep Space Network did not have a permanent facility. It was a makeshift setup with numerous desks and phones installed in a large room near the computers used to calculate orbits. In July 1961, NASA started the construction of the permanent facility, Space Flight Operations Facility (SFOF). The facility was completed in October 1963 dedicated on May 14, 1964. In the initial setup of the SFOF, there were 31 consoles, 100 closed-circuit television cameras, and more than 200 television displays to support Ranger 6 to Ranger 9 and Mariner 4.[4]
Current operations
As of 2012, there were 22 spacecraft monitored from this facility. Depending on the operations of the spacecraft, they are scheduled to be online for 1 to 10 hours at a time. Notable is that the facility also processes the signal from Voyager 1 that is sent from about 11 billion miles from Earth.[5] With data feeding into the Space Flight Operations Facility from every NASA spacecraft beyond low Earth orbit, including rovers, orbiters, and deep-space probes, there is a plaque in the middle of the room designating the facility "The Center of the Universe."[6]
See also
A list of other Deep Space Network facilities:
- Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex
- Madrid Deep Space Communication Complex
- Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". and Template:NHLS url (32 KB)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
- Official Site
- Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
- Man in Space, an NHL Theme study
Template:Registered Historic Places Template:Spaceflight landmarks Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:NASA navbox Script error: No such module "Navbox".
- Pages with script errors
- Pages with reference errors
- Pages with broken file links
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- National Historic Landmarks in California
- Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Pasadena, California
- Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in California
- Buildings and structures in Pasadena, California
- Tourist attractions in Pasadena, California