SUBJECT: OPTICAL TRACKING CENTRAL COMPUTER (OTCC) CHECKOUT OPERATING AND
REPORTING PROCEDURES

PURPOSE: To establish checkout and operating procedures for the Optical
Tracker Central Computer (OTCC) and to provide a method of coordination
between Instrumentation Superintendent of Range Operations (ISRO), RSD,
Metric Optics Controller, and the Optical Tracking Sites.

REFERENCES: 1. OD 014

2\. **(REDACTED)**, 2-G-04, dated 30 July 1980

ATTACHMENTS: 1. Optics Site Data Lines

2\. Optical Closure Angles Greater Than 30 Degrees **and Less Than 150
Degrees**

ANNEXES: None

1.0 GENERAL

A. The term, Optics Tracking Systems, applies to all of the following:
Cinetheodolite, ATOTS, MIGOR, ROTI, DOAMS, IGOR, and Optical Tracking
Sites that have circuits for receiving and transmitting 2400 b/s data.
Sites selected for RSD solution will output data to the ROCC by
activating their ON-TRACK switch. All sites, even when excluded, will
operate their ON-TRACK switch.

B. The OTCC at the ROCC will be used for slew checks, satellite passes,
aircraft tracks, and F -1 day minus count Optical Tracking Site
diagnostic checks, and to provide preoperation trajectory drive to the
optics sites.

C. The OTCC at the ROCC will process realtime inflight data from the
Optical Tracking Sites to calculate a solution as an input to the RTP
logic for output to the RSD and as a realtime acquisition source.

D. A minimum of four Optical Tracking Systems, with optical closure
angles \>30° **and \<150°** for viewing the launch vehicle on the pad,
will be committed for RSD support. Four Optical Tracking Sites are
needed for input into the OTCC Optical Central Computer Program (OCCP)
because of the geometry of the existing camera sites to the launch pads.
The OTCC OCCP program has the capability of handling up to 18 optical
trackers.

E. The Optical Tracking Systems are not all-weather systems. Optimum
coverage requires good visual conditions between the tracking sites and
the target. Fog, haze, rain, and low clouds will decrease the optical
coverage significantly.

F. The primary requirement for the optical tracking data to the RSD is
to provide coverage from liftoff until the radar data and telemetry
guidance data are available to RTP for Range Safety display purposes.

**G. The MIGOR Tracking System is the only Optical Tracking System which
is limited in the rotation of the azimuth axis. It can rotate
approximately 250 degrees vice a full 360 degrees.**

2.0 COORDINATION

A. For F -1 day checks and launch support, the ISRO will coordinate site
and data requirements with the Metric Optics Controller. The ISRO will
schedule the ROCC and optics sites through Range Scheduling. All sites
supporting the operation will be listed in the schedule remarks or the
appropriate OD.

B. Checkout and training operations (OD 014) that are not directly
associated with prelaunch operations will normally be scheduled by the
controller through Range Scheduling. The OTCC and optics sites will be
specified in the scheduling remarks. If the RTP/RSD are required,
operational support will be scheduled when the RTP/RSD Systems are
available.

C. In all cases, the Metric Optics Controller will contact
Communications Requirements\
(**REDACTED**) to establish the time for commencing COMSEC setup.

D. The OTCC operator will have direct voice communications with the
Optical Tracking Sites for passing diagnostic and checkout information
directly. The OTCC operator will also coordinate with the Metric Optics
Controller.

E. The RTCS Systems Controller will provide verbal GO/NO-GO reports on
the output data from the OTCC during the periods of nominal trajectory
drive. Dropouts, sync problems, and failure to provide reasonable
trajectory solutions will be reported to the OTCC operator and to the
Metric Optics Controller. If a problem persists, it will be reported to
the RSD coordinator and the ISRO by the Metric Optics Controller. Data
encryption, resync and communications problems should be reported to the
Communications Controller for reset or other required action.

3.0 PROCEDURES

A. The OTCC operator has the ability to switch tracking sources at the
Optical Tracking Central Computer (OTCC). The Optical Tracking Sites are
switched in or out of the solution by operator control of the **Optical
Front End Processor (**OFEP**)** and OCCP programs running on the OTCC.
Any of the Optical Tracking Sites listed in Attachment 1 may be selected
except as noted.

B. The OTCC Operator will not make changes in the Optical Tracking Site
selection unless such action is directed by the RTCS System Controller.

C. The optical tracking site operator will provide a manual ON-TRACK BIT
at T -30 seconds or as directed by the Metric Optics Controller,
providing the optical tracking site operator can see the launch vehicle
on the pad; otherwise, the site operator will activate the ON-TRACK BIT
when he/she acquires track.

D. The Range Safety optical trackers will be directed along the vehicle
flight track by manual operator steering. The ON-TRACK BIT will be
present as long as the vehicle or flame is visible in the tracking
telescope. When a loss of view occurs, the optical tracker operator will
release the ON-TRACK switch. Optical trackers which are not providing
RSD input will utilize the 2400 bit data for acquisition and focus.

E. If an Optical Tracking Site cannot support, the Metric Optics
Controller will notify the ISRO. The site will then be deselected by the
OTCC operator.

F. The Metric Optics Controller will provide the ISRO with verbal minus
count GO/NO-GO conditions for all tracking sites based upon visual and
equipment support conditions.

G. The Radar Controller will respond to the Optical Tracking Central
Computer operator\'s request for data input switching to OTCC.

4.0 PREOPERATION PLANNING DATA

A. Software programs entitled \"Optical Closure Angles\" and \"Time vs.
Altitude\" are available at Data Processing. These programs will provide
tabs of the optical closure angles and time vs altitude for six Optical
Tracking Sites based upon the nominal trajectory and the geometry of the
tracking sites. See Attachment 2 for an example.

B. The Range Metric System's (RMS) Metric Optics Controller will order
these data for each pad launch using the Optical Tracking Sites required
to support the operation. Copies of these data will be distributed as
follows:

**(REDACTED)** Operations Planning - 1 copy

Range Safety - 1 copy

Range Engineer - 1 copy

Operations Control - 1 copy

Evaluation and Analysis - 1 copy

These data will be used for planning the expected coverages based upon
good optical conditions.

C. In planning the optical coverages, the Metric Optics Controller
should commit no further than the average maximum coverage expected from
the four worst sites.

ATTACHMENT 1

**(REDACTED)**

> ATTACHMENT 2

OPTICAL CLOSURE ANGLES GREATER THAN 30 DEGREES **AND LESS THAN 150
DEGREES**

**(REDACTED)**