If the Vehicle Assembly Building is the heart of Launch Complex 39, then the Launch Control Center is its brain. The Center is a four-story building connected to the east side of the Vehicle Assembly Building by an elevated, enclosed bridge.

The Launch Control Center contains two primary and two backup firing rooms. Each is equipped with the Launch Processing System - an automated computer-operated system - which monitors and controls Shuttle assembly, checkout and launch operations.

Join Brandt and Mike as they take you inside this important center of activity, especially at launch time. This is one of the places you will find Mike during his "on duty" times, so his knowledge and insights will no doubt be very helpful.

WebCast uses RealMedia	See: Launch Control Center

January Programming

Event type	Date	Grade level	Time	Technology Required	Subject
	Wednesday, Jan. 12	First hour: All ages Last 30 minutes for University level questions	10-11:30am PST 1-2:30pm EST 6-7:30pm GMT	Watch Part 5	Launch Control Center Mike and Brandt visit this hub of shuttle operations and Mike is able to show you where he works!
	Wednesday, Jan. 19	K-12	10-11am PST 1-2pm EST 6-7pm GMT	Archive	Doug Lyons is responsible for ensuring procedures and schedules are followed to produce a safe and successful shuttle launch.

• A Brief Introduction
• The Instructional Model
• Getting Started

As you prepare your students to attend the January segment of the Launch to Landing series, we would like to suggest some very simple activities that will help them make the most of this online experience! We encourage you to review the following three options and determine which may be appropriate for your classroom:

Step 1:Assign one of the following suggested activities to be completed during the week.
Getting to know the LCC:
• What two things did the Launch Control Center save compared to the earlier Apollo/Saturn flights?
• At what point does LCC at Kennedy Space Center in Florida turn over control of the mission the MCC at Johnson Space Center in Texas?
• All members of the launch team report to their consoles in the Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center for the start of the countdown - How long before the launch takes place?
• Of the four firing rooms in the LCC, which are configured for full control of launch and orbiter operations?

Move around the inside of the LCC.
• Who gives the final go for launch, and where do they sit?
• Challenge: See if you can find an appropriate seat for Mike Ciannilli.
• Name two facilities in which an orbiters processing can be monitored from Mike Ciannilli's console.
• Read Mike Ciannilli's journal describing his responsibilities in the firing room. What is done at an L-1 briefing?
• Read Isolda Galiana-Liang's journal What is her team developing that will help
• According to the chat with Mike Ciannilli last May, What are the rules they have to launch called? Why and how have they changed recently?

Step 2: During the Internet Workshop, ask students to share their work and to formulate question that will be presented during the live event.

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Option B - An Internet Workshop Project:
This type of Internet use brings the class together in teams to do a project.

Step 1: Build a graphic history of the Launch Control Center . Assign students to work in groups to investigate and report:

• How old is the LCC?
• What did it replace and why?
• What changes have been made to the LCC and when?
• What changes are being made now?
• List the major steps to a shuttle countdown.

Listed below are NASA Web sites that may be used as a reference:


Overview of the Launch Control Center
Launch and Flight operations
The Space Shuttle Launch Team
Terminal Countdown
Countdown chronology
Shuttle Countdown Status
Space Shuttle Program History
STO Photo Gallery
STO Journals
Map of the Launch Control Center area
Launch Control Center - Firing Room

Step 2: Attend the event allowing your students to compose questions and incorporate what they learn into the project's outcome. Use the Internet Workshop as a forum for working on the project and filling in the timeline once they have attended the live event.

Option C - Inquiry Supported by Internet Workshop:
Students familiar with the Internet develop theories and use the Internet to conduct original research.

Step 1: Students are provided with the following framework and encouraged to direct their own learning about the LCC and Shuttle launch procedures.

• Question: Students identify an important question they wish to explore.
  • Engage in group or individual brainstorming during Internet Workshop.
  • Guide their initial research by helping them identify related topics and information.
• Search: Students use the Internet to find useful information related to their topic.
  • Use the Internet Workshop to demonstrate Internet search techniques.
  • Remind students of more traditional resources found in the classroom or school library.
• Analyze: Students analyze all of the information they have located and respond to the questions they initially posed.
  • Sometimes this will lead students to address another question they discover to be more important than their initial question.
• Compose: This phase requires students to compose a presentation of their work. This may take the form of a traditional written report, a poster session, a multimedia presentation, a web site, or an oral report.
  
• Share: Students share their work and respond to questions about that work. This may take place during the Internet workshop or during a special science or social studies fair.

• Some suggested links and activities to help students get started:
  • Space Team Online Home Page
  • NASA Quest Live Events Schedule
  • NASA Home Page
  • Kennedy Space Center Homepage

Step 2: Students then use the live interactive event to test their theories and promote their ideas. These findings and student strategies are reported during the Internet Workshop.