The Launch Control Officer (LCO)

The Launch Control Officer (LCO) is responsible for supervising the launching of the rockets and seeing that conditions are safe to do so. This means making sure that pads are not and cannot be armed when people are close by them. It also means looking and listening for aircraft and not launching any rockets when any are near by.

Because of the volume of flights we have to contend with, we have split the role of LCO into three distinct areas of responsibility: LCO1, LCO2, and Spotter.

Launch Control Officer One (LCO1) Instructions

• Keep the Main Power Switch OFF when range is 'OPEN'!
• It is the primary responsibility of the LCO1 to conduct the actual launching of rockets from all pads in a safe and efficient manner. The goal of the LCO1 is to average a launch rate of 3 launches per minute, but only if it is safe to do so.
• Before each rocket is launched, check for safe conditions. These include aircraft in the area, clouds and visibility.
• Before each rocket is launched check the activity of the spectators, flyers and any other persons in the operation area. The LCO1 MUST HALT the launching of any rocket when unauthorized person(s), vehicles or aircraft enter the operation area. Prior to the countdown the LCO checks for the above conditions and announces 'The sky is clear - The range is clear' over the PA system.
• If the rocket to be launched has been designated as a 'HEADS-UP' flight, then before the launch of that rocket, if ANY spectators / flyers are not watching the rocket, the LCO1 will instruct them to do so using the PA system.
• If a Level 3 flight is to be launched, it is automatically designated as a "HEADS-UP" flight. The LCO1 will instruct all spectators / flyers to watch the flight and be standing using the PA system.
• If the rocket to be launched is for certification (red flight card), alert a Prefect or TAP member (for Tripoli) or the 2 NAR members (for NAR) using the PA system and ensure they are monitoring the flight.
• The LCO1 is in charge of the PA System and must not give the microphone to anyone, other than a ROC Board member or to the next person acting as LCO1. The LCO1 may make brief vendor or other announcements while waiting for the range or sky to be clear, but the announcement must be brief and must not contain any reference to the sale of alcoholic beverages.
• The LCO1 MUST halt the launching of any rocket for any reason that is in the interest of safety, For As Long As Necessary.
• On any question of safety, the LCO1 must inform the Range Safety Officer (RSO).
• Once a rocket has reached apogee and/or deployed a recovery device, and the Spotter is able to see the rocket, the LCO1 hands over responsibility for tracking the rocket to the Spotter (see below).

Launch Control Officer Two (LCO2) Instructions

• Verify the Main Power Switch is OFF when range is 'OPEN'!
• It is the primary responsibility of the LCO2 to collect the flight data cards from the Pad Manager (PM), review and arrange the cards for an orderly launch, and note which flights are "HEADS-UP" or for certification.
• The LCO2 assists the Spotter upon request by the Spotter. Assisting the Spotter takes precedence over organizing flight cards.
• Prior launching each rack of rockets and before the flyers leave the launch pad area ensure the launch rod angles are not directed toward the spectator area, people or property.
• Alert LCO1 to any unsafe conditions. These include aircraft or persons in the area, clouds and visibility.
• If the rocket to be launched is for certification, assist LCO1 in alerting the necessary people and ensure they are monitoring the flight.
• The LCO2 MUST halt the launching of any rocket for any reason that is in the interest of safety, For As Long As Necessary.
• Only persons necessary to support the launch should be in the operations area.
• On any question of safety, the LCO2 must inform the Range Safety Officer (RSO).

Spotter Instructions

• It is the primary responsibility of the Spotter to track every rocket that may land in or near the spectator area, until it either lands or is judged to no longer be a danger to people or property on the ground.
• The Spotter takes over (from the LCO1) tracking every rocket as soon as the rocket reaches apogee. The Spotter also takes the flight card from the LCO at this time.
• If a landing rocket is judged to be an immediate potential danger to people or property, it is the duty of the spotter to alert LCO1 to the danger so that the danger can be announced.
• The Spotter marks the flight card with the flight result prior to depositing it in the flight card box.
• The Spotter MUST halt the launching of any rocket for any reason that is in the interest of safety, For As Long As Necessary.
• The Spotter assists the LCO1 in ensuring the range and sky are clear before launching, and that the spectators are paying attention to a "heads up" flight.
• On any question of safety, the Spotter must inform the Range Safety Officer (RSO).