Making Synapses · Bringing Knowledge to Mankind
SpaceCalled off: back to a safe state
The countdown was aborted or the launch was called off for the day. Now the job is to make everything safe again: the vehicle, its stages, the payload and the site. Federal law sets what the operator must do, and what changes when the command to fly was already sent and the rocket did not lift off.
Free to startScenarios
- A countdown abort before the command to initiate flight.
- The command to initiate flight was sent and the rocket did not lift off.
- A stop after the handover to the automated launch sequencer ends the attempt for the day.
The steps
- Start the procedures that control the hazards of the vehicle after the countdown abort, recycle or delay.
- Return the vehicle, its stages and other flight hardware, and the site facilities, to a safe condition.
- If the command to initiate flight was sent and it did not lift off: put the vehicle and any payload in a safe configuration.
- Keep the public out of every identified hazard area until the site is back to a safe condition.
- Keep the flight safety system working, and verify it, until it is confirmed the vehicle is no risk of flying by accident.
- Report and control any fire caused by the launch activities.
- For an emergency that may create a hazard to the public and is not covered by the mishap plan, apply the general emergency procedures.
Safety rules that stop the station
- Nobody from the public enters a hazard area until the site is back to a safe condition.
- The flight safety system stays operational until it is verified the vehicle cannot fly by accident.
To pass
- Vehicle, stages, payload and site back to a safe condition after the abort or delay.
- Hazard areas closed to the public until the site is safe.
- The flight safety system kept working and verified until there is no risk of inadvertent flight.
Official source
Federal · FAA, 14 CFR 450.159 and 450.189
14 CFR Part 450, Launch and reentry license requirements
GovInfo publishes 14 CFR Part 450 free: 450.189(c) sets what the operator does after a countdown abort, and when a vehicle did not lift off after the command to fly.
Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by NASA, the FAA, the Canadian Space Agency or any launch provider. Agency, mission and program names are named only to describe the content.