NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The launch team members assemble at their computers and communication consoles at Vandenberg Air Force Base about three to four hours before the launch of the Delta II rocket carrying the Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft.

The NASA launch director is the highest authority during the countdown and provides NASA's "go/no-go" decision to the mission director.

Before liftoff, the launch director checks with the launch team to make sure all the criteria are met and that the payload and rocket are ready to go.

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	Omar Baez, NASA Launch Director The launch director ensures that the countdown and launch decision processes are properly followed.
	Thomas Reinarts, NASA Chief Engineer The chief engineer is responsible for advising the launch manager of the launch vehicle's engineering and analysis status for launch.
	Armando Piloto, Mission Manager The mission manager serves as the primary interface between the spacecraft and the launch vehicle.
	Amit Sen, Aquarius Project Manager The spacecraft mission manager provides the overall assessment of the spacecraft and its readiness to launch.
	Michael E. Wetmore, Chief Safety Officer The chief safety officer is responsible for spacecraft and launch vehicle overall safety, quality and assessment of the launch countdown.
	Joe Lackovich, NASA Advisory Manager The advisory manager provides consultation for assessing the launch process and countdown.

NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center