The agonizing delay of Mars

Inside NASA mission control

Chapter 1

The birth of Mission Control

Chapter 2

The Apollo 11 triumph

Chapter 3

The Apollo 13 rescue

Chapter 4

Modern Mission Control and the future

YOUR GOAL

Master of Inside NASA mission control

Ch 4 · Modern Mission Control and the future
H
hank
Houston in Hand
BETA

hank Tap the correct console switches to learn how NASA flight controllers solve space emergencies.

Jul 19

H
hank

hank NASA Mission Control Center

To the Moon, to the Moon! We're guiding Artemis to the Moon!

Jul 19

H
hank

hank The agonizing delay of Mars

Jul 19

H
hank
The agonizing delay of Mars

hank Controlling missions to Mars means waiting up to 20 minutes just to hear if a command worked.

Jul 19

H
hank
The digital transformation of the room

hank The heavy analog buttons are gone, replaced by silent software and customizable displays.

Jul 19

H
hank
Fun Fact

The ISS handoff: If Houston loses power, control of the International Space Station automatically transfers to a backup control facility near Huntsville, Alabama.

Jul 19

H
hank
Glossary
telemetry (noun)
The automatic measurement and transmission of data from remote sources to a receiving station. In 2013, NASA upgraded the White Flight Control Room to process digital telemetry for deep-space flights.

Jul 19

H
hank
Gossip

Would you trust an AI flight director?

Jul 19

H
hank
Quiz

In what year did NASA retire the iconic Apollo-era analog control consoles?

Jul 19

H
hank

hank The global shield of the ISS

Jul 19

H
hank
Quiz

What is the name of NASA's backup Mission Control facility for the International Space Station?

Jul 19

H
hank

hank The digital transformation of the room

Jul 19

H
hank
Quiz

What technology must Mars rovers use to navigate due to the long communication delay with Earth?

Jul 19

H
hank

hank Private partners join the console

Jul 19

H
hank
Quiz

Where is the primary mission control center for SpaceX located?

Jul 19

H
hank
Quiz

How long can a one-way radio communication delay be between Earth and Mars?

Jul 19

H
hank
Quiz

Which European country hosts the control center for the Columbus laboratory on the ISS?

Jul 19

H
hank
Quiz

Which city hosts the Russian mission control center, TsUP, which coordinates with Houston?

Jul 19

H
hank
Quiz

What is the name of Japan's aerospace exploration agency, which operates its own ISS control center?

Jul 19