NASA DEEP SPACE NETWORK OPERATIONS CONTROL

Abstract

Overall direction, coordination and control of the real-time activities of the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) is the responsibility of the Network Operations Control Team located at the Operations Control Center at JPL in Pasadena. Real-time operation of the DSN is a complex task, requiring efficient interaction among operations personnel, hardware, software, communications and mechanical systems. Control is maintained by the team at JPL through allocation of responsibility for specific operational facilities to specific team members. The Network Operations Control Team is comprised of an Operations Chief, a Track Chief, and one or more Deep Space Station (DSS) Controllers. The Operations Chief is responsible for overall performance of the Operations Control Center, and provides a single point of interface with the Control Center to end user organizations. The Track Chief is responsible for overall performance of the DSN as a facility, while the Station controllers are assigned responsibility for monitoring and coordinating the operational activities at individual Deep Space Stations.