QUESTION:
What are the sections in Mission Control in Houston 
(ie. EECOM, GUIDO, etc.)?

ANSWER from Tony Ceccacci on April 11, 1997:
Good Question. I'll try to give you a quick overview of what each
position supports.

Core Systems (systems that are active across all flight phases):

	- Prop (Propulsion Systems Controller) - This is what I do so I thought
I'd put it first. Operational responsibiltiy for Orbital Maneuvering
System (OMS), Reaction Control System (RCS) and associated tanks,
thermal systems, electronics, and software. Also, propulsive
consumables tracking and management (watching the gas gauge).

	- GNC (Guidance, Navigation and Control Systems Controller) -
Operational responsibility for flight control and navigation systems,
and associated software.

	- MMACS (Mechanical, Maintenance and Crew Systems Controller) -
Operational responsibility for Auxiliary Power Units (APU's),
hydraulics, mechanical systems, and In Flight Maintenance (IFM's). 
IFM's let the crew fix things they may break while on orbit 
(switches, loss of power, experiments, etc.)

	- DPS (Data Processing Systems Controller) - Operational responsibility
for General Purpose Computers (GPC's), data distribution system, crew
interfaces, and associated software.

	- INCO (Instrumentation and Communications Systems Controller) -
Operational responsibility for command and telemetry systems as well as
video and voice communications systems.

	- EGIL (Electrical Generation and  Illumination Controller) -
Operational responsibility for fuel cell power generation (electricity)
and distribution systems (extension cords throughout the shuttle) .
Also, cryogenic consumables tracking/management. (The gas that makes
the electricity.)

	- EECOM (Environmental Systems Controller) - Operational responsibility
for life support (Air, water, waste systems) and thermal systems. Also,
water and N2 consumables tracking/management.

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Phase Specialists (required during specific phases of flight)

	- Booster (Booster Systems Controller) - Operational responsibility for
Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB's), and Main Engines used during the Ascent
phase.

	- EVA (Extra Vehicular Activity Controller) -  Operational
responsibility for equipement used for EVA's performed outside the
shuttle (EVA suits, Extra Vehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) and flight
specific EVA tasks and tools required.)

	- PDRS (Payload Deployment and Retrieval System Controller) -
Operational responsibility for the Remote Manipulator System (RMS). This
is the robot arm that is used for different tasks (Payload retrieve,
Payload deploy, Payload repair).

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Flight Dynamics Controller Positions (Positions that track shuttle
location, orbiter mechanics, etc.)

	- FDO (Flight Dynamics Officer) - Operational responsibility for
monitoring vehicle trajectory and performance duirng all phases of
flight.

	- GPO/RNDZ (Guidance Procedures Officer/Rendezvous Officer) -
Operational responsibility for crew procedures assistnace during
critical phases of ascent, entry, and rendezvous.

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Operation Control Positions

	- FD (Flight Director) - Responsible for management of all Flight
Control positions (he/she is in charge of the team). In Apollo 13,
the Flight Director was Gene Kranz.

	- CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) - Only person allowed to communicate
with shuttle (That way we only have one person telling the crew what to
do to help avoid confusion.) This position is supported by the 
astronauts.

	- MOD (Mission Operations Director) - Serves as liaison between the
Mission operations team and the engineering team. This position is
filled by a FD.

	- SURGEON (Flight Doctor) - In case anything should happen to the crew,
the SURGEON is there to help them out. He/she has a daily confrence with
the crew to see how they are feeling each day.
	
	- FAO (Flight Activities Officer) - Operational responsibility for
real-time planning of mission activities based on mission events and
systems performance/operation (plan what the crew needs to do).

	- Payloads Officer - Serves as liaison between MCC and external payload
control centers to ensure maximized payload success while maintaining
Orbiter and crew safety (make sure all the experiments get completed).

	- PAO (Public Affairs Officer) - These people are the voice of NASA
Select TV. They are the news folks for NASA.

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As you can see, it takes many dedicated folks, working together,
to complete a safe and successful shuttle mission. I hope this
helps you out.

Thanks for asking the question.