scope:

Description of Driving Event:

Early in the Space Shuttle Program's Orbiter ground turnaround processing, RF system testing was performed for every flow in the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF). During this testing, problems resulted in the removal and replacement of discrepant Line Replaceable Units (LRUs). Had this RF system not been tested with the C&T Station, launches could have been scrubbed or missions delayed. The C&T Station also provides a third-party way to monitor the RF Systems during countdown by monitoring both signals from the vehicle and from the MILA ground station to the orbiter.