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Shuttle Mission: STS-109
Orbiter: Columbia
March 1, 2002

Did You Know?

The NASA Test Director is the leader ofImage of Shuttle with American Flag and launch complex in the background. the Shuttle test team responsible for directing and integrating all flight crew, orbiter, external tank/solid rocket booster and ground support testing throughout the Shuttle launch countdown. The NTD is responsible for the safety of all personnel inside the Pad A after external tank loading, including the flight crew. Reports to the Launch Director.

The Mission Management Team is a panel of senior-level government and contractor managers that plays a key role in the final polling that takes place during the T-9 minute hold to clear the vehicle for liftoff.

T-9 minutes and holding...
The NASA Test Director (NTD) Steve Altemus conducts a final poll of his launch team, including those responsible for the Shuttle, the Eastern Test Range, the MILA tracking site, and at Mission Control in Houston, Texas to verify that they are ready to come out of this hold and proceed to launch.
Image of NASA Test Director, Steve Altemus.
   
The Mission Management Team (MMT) Chairman Jim Halsell polls the other members of his MMT, and confirms their agreement to continue with the launch. Image of MMT Chairman, Jim Halsell.  
   
The Launch Director Mike Leinbach, in turn, polls the Payload Manager, the Shuttle Engineering Director, the Cape Weather Officer and the Director of Safety to receive their launch consensus, verifies that the NASA Test and MMT Directors are in agreement.  The Launch Director is responsible for making the final Go/No Go decision to proceed with the launch. Image of Launch Director, Mike Leinhbach.  
This is the last scheduled hold in the launch sequence!
Page Last Revised Page & Curator Information
March 14, 2002 Online coverage by: Dennis Armstrong (NASA), Anna Heiney (IDI)
Web Development: Lynda Warnock & Debbie Barton (FDC)
Video Production: Chris Chamberland (Photobition)
Countdown Clock by: Jim Fitzgerald (FDC)
NASA Official: Dennis Armstrong (Dennis.Armstrong-1@ksc.nasa.gov)
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Roy D. Bridges, Director
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