[Engine sound]
>> Clear to go.
>> You're clear.
[Music]
>> Nozzle swing.
[Jet revving up]
>> Here we go.
>> Smoke
>> CFO.
>> Good ignition.
[Music]
[Jet taking off]
[Sonic boom]
[Radio chatter]
[Music]
[ER-2 taking off]
>> Forty-seven point nine altitude.
>> Here we go.
3, 2, 1 release.
[Music]
[747 taking off]
>> 2, 1, 0.
[Rocket blasting off]
>> Still got it.
Awesome.
[Truck driving by]
>> Gonna hold level for a minute here...
>> NASA 836, we're gonna hold here.
>> Flight control, do G look good?.
>> Two Gs.
>> Two Gs, copy.
[Music]
[Camera shutter]
[Music]
>> Whenever a NASA aircraft leaves the ground,
an entire team of people ensure
that it executes its mission safely and successfully.
The pilot and mission controller sit at the ends
of a complex stream of data along which dozens
of IT specialists, engineers, and technicians work to ensure
that each inflight decision is informed
by accurate information.
And that all test or science data is successfully gathered
and processed.
At the Armstrong Flight Research Center, this team makes
up the mission information and test systems directorate
known simply as Code M. A critical behind the scenes force
that helps Armstrong keep its reputation as one
of the world's finest flight research centers.
[Music]
>> In most cases, new flight projects first approach the
Mission Integration Office or MIO.
The MIO is responsible for the development of partnerships
with key researchers, mission directorates,
and external stakeholders.
They help create value for our partners
by providing an initial interface
and a cross functional integration of processes,
capabilities, and operations.
[Music]
>> And there's 10,000 feet.
>> I'm going to go about 100 feet above you if I can here.
>> Okay.
>> Flights of new aircraft or systems are first simulated
to ensure that any novel concepts are working
as designed,
or to conduct trade studies
or to iterate a design towards optimum performance.
Later when an actual flight is scheduled, before the aircraft
even revs its engine, simulation familiarizes the pilot
and mission control team with the procedures and test points
and prepares them for unexpected situations.
Engineers and technicians in code ME,
the simulation engineering branch of Code M,
create one-of-a-kind simulation programs
and hardware subsystem interfaces
that enable NASA's pilot and their industry partners
to understand how a new aircraft or a system will handle
or discover the most efficient ways to hit their data points.
>> Paul, I'm going to light the burners just for a second here,
just to see the difference in the thrust.
>> All right.
>> And uh--
>> Saw the cable tension go up a little there, it's into the red.
>> All right
coming out of the after burners back to full power..
>> Getting some slack on the rope now...
>> Oh yeah it's amazing.
Now that I'm getting kind of used to the sim,
I can really feel you back there and the effects.
[Music]
>> Ready to send check.
>> Sending check command now.
>> Send arm.
>> Arming now.
>> Send terminate.
>> And terminating now.
And we have a good arm-term cycle.
>> Well before the research flight phase,
the Range Engineering Branch, Code MC, engineers
and software developers build, integrate,
and verify range assets.
This is how they ensure the aircraft telemetry can be
received and processed for control-room display monitoring.
That aircraft position can be tracked
for situational awareness.
>> All right,
this is TD on Data 2.
I'll go ahead and check everybody for their control-room display
status now that we have both engines up.
>> Heard you loud and clear.
>> And that control-room voice communications are working.
For unmanned aircraft, Code MC verifies uplinks for command
and control and flight termination systems.
>> We're going to arm and terminate.
[Music]
[Jet engine revving]
>> Slaving is routed for Guy.
>> We're high.
[ Music ]
>> Got him
>> And...brake release.
[Music]
[Jet taking off]
[Radio chatter]
>> And the squawk is a little off,
if you have to use it, by about 5 degrees.
>> ...don't know...
[Music]
>> Tracking the aircraft while it's
in flight is the responsibility of MR,
the Range Operations Branch.
From working with the U.S. Air Force,
which controls Edwards Air Space, to scheduling flights,
to keeping radar dishes locked on a supersonic airplane,
to tracking that airplane with long-range optics,
Code MR is responsible for getting the data
from the airplane to the ground.
This branch operates the telemetry tracking systems,
space positioning systems, audio communication systems,
video systems, mission control center, and mobile systems.
[Music]
After a flight, the data arrives
at the Information Services Branch, or Code MI,
which provides information technology solutions
for NASA's workforce,
everything from desktops to internet connections.
Code MI also manages Armstrong's data center
and network infrastructure, ensuring the right data is
available to the appropriate users,
from routine e-mail
to specialized mission-specific flight data.
Finally, MI provides multimedia services. From graphic artists,
photographers, and videographers, to web and repro.
These skilled individuals ensure effective communication
of the many activities and accomplishments of the Center.
These services include airborne photography and videography,
specialty services driven by the demands of flight research.
The multimedia products help make this information accessible
to engineers, researchers, partners, and stakeholders
around the Center, around the agency, and out in the public.
[Kids clapping to music]
[Music]
[DC-8 taking off]
>> A strong team with an important role--
The Mission Information And Test Systems Directorate helps
separate the real from the imagined through flight.
[Music]
[Camera shutter]