Jupiter 2 control room

Located 15 km from the Vega-C launch pad and 20 km from the Ariane 6 launch pad, the control centre is located in the imposing Jupiter 2 building, outside the Technical Centre. It is arranged in an amphitheatre surrounded by a video wall, allowing visitors to experience the lift-off and mission live.

On the day of the launch, it receives three types of audience: the operational staff who coordinate the launch operations, the guests and the press.

In the front rows, separated from the audience by large windows, the operational staff are seated at their desks. At the centre is the Director of Operations (DDO). Like a conductor, he or she orchestrates the launch operations, in close collaboration with the launch centre. Surrounded by specialists from each of Europe’s spaceport’s launch facilities and the decision-making bodies of CNES (the French space agency), the European Space Agency and Arianespace, as well as from the satellite customers, the DDO gives the green light for lift-off if all the conditions are met.

On the operational video wall, a panel grabs all the attention: some fifteen lights, which represent the status of each of the launch parameters, especially parameters related to the launch vehicle, the satellites, the weather or the telemetry.

Usually green, these lights turn red if an anomaly is detected, suspending the launch sequence. In such a scenario, checks are carried out by the launch teams to determine whether the problem is real and whether it can be resolved quickly, in which case the sequence can resume.

On the outer rows of the room, more than 230 seats are reserved for launch spectators. Priority is given to customers who come to see their satellite take off, and to institutional partners.

Following the launch sequence live on giant screens, with technical commentaries in several languages, the audience can also watch the lift-off from the panoramic terraces of Jupiter 2.

Above the audience, the press centre welcomes journalists in a dedicated working area.
 

Before 1996, the control centre was located in the Jupiter 1 building, within the Technical Centre. Built in the early days of Europe’s spaceport, Jupiter 1 was at the heart of operations for the Diamant, Europa and Ariane 1, 2, 3 and 4 launchers.

Jupiter 1 is now home to the flight safety teams, who are on standby to neutralise the launch vehicle if it poses a risk during lift-off.