The Jupiter control centre

The Jupiter building was inaugurated in 1996 with the launch of Ariane V82; its control centre handles all operational functions but it also provides communications resources for journalists and other visitors attending launches.

The control centre houses all the key operators responsible for deploying resources at the launch site during launch countdowns.
The auditorium on the first floor behind the control room can seat 232 guests attending launches. With the use of headsets, guests can follow the technical commentaries in one of several languages and also watch a video transmission on a wall display 3.2 by 4.2 metres. They can follow the countdown in real time, see the action in the control room or move out onto the balconies to watch the lift-off.

There is also a press centre on the second floor offering 31 work stations in three areas equipped with screens and countdown clocks.

The third floor has a series of cabins for the use of the audiovisual media, the technical personnel intervening in the video transmission and the interpreters. It also houses the Centre d'Animation et d'Information (CAI) which oversees the audio and video systems for the entire building.

To learn more about this impressive Control Room or about who does what, take a look at the following diagram and try moving the cursor over the different consoles.

For further information see the dossier ‘Jupiter 2 Control Centre ’