Flight Director Console (FLIGHT)

The Flight Director's Console is used to monitor the overall flight status. The first two rows of status lights show the status of each Mission Control Console.  The light matrix below shows the alarm status and is similar to the Caution and Warning Panel in the Space Shuttle. The system has three launch pads so that three vehicles can be managed at one time. Time can be started or stopped.  Time can be compressed by increasing the number of seconds between updates.  Time compression is not recommended during dynamic flight phases (ascent or reentry), but work OK in orbit.  The ten flight controller status lights can be cleared by menu item so that the Flight Director can see an affirmative response from each controller when "going around the room."