Making Synapses · Bringing Knowledge to Mankind
SpaceA trained and rested team for the countdown shift
The people on the countdown hold safety-critical tasks, and the federal launch rule asks two things of each of them: training that is current, and rest. You build the countdown roster: who is qualified for each task, how long each shift runs, how many days in a row are allowed and the rest everyone gets right before the flight countdown shift.
Free to startScenarios
- The countdown shift comes at the end of several work shift days in a row.
- A delay asks for one shift to be extended.
- The training of one person on a safety-critical task is no longer current.
The steps
- List the safety-critical tasks of the countdown that need qualified personnel.
- For each person on those tasks, confirm they are trained, qualified and capable, and that their training is current, using the process that tracks training currency.
- Check the length of each work shift and the process to extend it, without going past the maximum length allowed for any extension.
- Count the consecutive work shift days allowed before rest is required.
- Give the minimum rest between work shifts, including the rest required right before the flight countdown work shift.
- After the maximum number of work shift days, give the minimum rest required.
- Send any deviation from the rest rules through its approval process before the shift.
Safety rules that stop the station
- Rest rules exist so every person on a safety-critical task is physically and mentally capable of every task assigned.
To pass
- Every safety-critical task covered by a trained, qualified and current person.
- The rest before the countdown shift given, and no shift or extension past its limit.
- Every deviation from the rest rules approved through its process.
Official source
Federal · FAA, 14 CFR 450.149 and 450.151
14 CFR Part 450, Launch and reentry license requirements
GovInfo publishes 14 CFR Part 450 free: 450.149 sets the training and currency of safety-critical personnel and 450.151 the work shift and rest rules, including the rest before the countdown shift.
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