EDF Inc. designed, fabricated and activated the above operator console for testing rocket engines, turbopumps and combustion chambers. Each high density control panel provides arming and operation of up to 28 remote-operated valves or other test cell functions.

The operator console is located in a blast-proof control building over 1000 feet from the test cell. All control functions are initiated by a preprogrammed digital sequencer, which provides timing resolution to one millisecond. The test is conducted in a fully automatic mode and operator intervention is not required during the test. A computerized Test Termination System monitors over 200 parameters or data calculations each second and can automatically terminate the test if a malfunction occurs.

The computer monitors are driven by a high speed Digital Data Acquisition System with over 500 parameters being acquired and converted to engineering units. Each parameter is scanned one hundred times per second. Closed Circuit TVs in the upper portion of the console provide remote monitoring and recording of the engine during the test.