Virtual Tour of the Hubble Control Center: Mission Operations Room

The video tutorial provides an overview of the command center where flight engineers manage Hubble's operations. It covers daily tasks such as sending commands, retrieving data, and ensuring data integrity. The engineers monitor thousands of data points to ensure Hubble's safety and follow contingency plans if issues arise. Routine activities include updating orbit information and clearing memory. The center was once staffed 24/7 but is now automated, with staff present only during weekdays. Engineers receive notifications for issues and can access spacecraft data remotely. The room features real-time data displays and models of the spacecraft for reference.

What is one of the primary responsibilities of flight engineers at the command center?

• Building models of the spacecraft

• Designing new instruments for Hubble

• Training astronauts for space missions

• Sending commands and retrieving data from Hubble

How has the staffing of the command center changed since 2011?

• It is now staffed 24/7

• It is staffed 8 hours a day, five days a week

• It is now fully automated with no staff

• It is staffed only on weekends

What happens if a problem arises when the team is not present at the command center?

• The command center shuts down

• The spacecraft automatically fixes the issue

• The team receives notifications on their cell phones

• The problem is ignored until the next day

What information is displayed on the large screen in the command center?

• Weather forecasts for space

• Astronauts' daily activities

• Hubble's launch schedule

• Real-time data including star charts and Earth's position

What is the purpose of the engineering model of the spacecraft in the command center?

• To train new astronauts

• To display historical data of Hubble

• To be used for reference by flight engineers

• To serve as a backup for the actual spacecraft