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Application Note Custom Video Solutions

Launch Pad Monitoring System for

United Launch Alliance
The dramatic increase in commercial space ULA has relied on video monitoring to see
launches in recent years has meant that the launch processes in minute detail. With
few launch facilities in the United States a strict focus on mission success, ULA
have been busier than usual. This increase continuously evaluates its operations and
in traffic leaving the planet has focused implements technologies that improve
more attention on launch pad safety. safety and process efficiencies. Recently, the
Extreme conditions, such as heavy shocks, company’s analog video monitoring systems
high heat, and volatile gases, make every at its Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Air
launch a dangerous undertaking. With Force Base space launch complexes (SLC)
the increased traffic, quick turn-around of came under review.
launch facilities is crucial. Ensuring problem
free launches through careful monitoring ULA’s video systems consisted of numerous
of personnel, equipment, and processes analog HD video cameras positioned around
during each phase of a launch is now more the SLCs that captured live, broadcast-
vital than ever. quality video of launch pad activity. Video
from the cameras was then relayed to
United Launch Alliance (ULA) knows the operational staff in control centers located
critical role video monitoring plays in miles from ULA’s launch sites where it was
launch safety. Formed in December 2006 carefully monitored.
and owned as a 50-50 joint venture by
Lockheed Martin and The Boeing Company, While the existing cameras were reliable
ULA provides reliable, cost-effective space they didn’t provide the features, granular
launch services for the U.S. To date, ULA camera controls, or common operator
Live video from IVC’s Class I has successfully launched more than 100 interface ULA needed. Personnel could
Division 1 certified stainless satellites into orbit. These satellites are monitor video from the cameras but they
steel PTZ cameras is used used to provide timely information to couldn’t easily adjust camera settings such
to provide detailed views of people, organizations, government agencies as zooming and panning to get a better
vehicle launch area pre-launch. and businesses on the ground. Examples view of launch pad activity. Over time, the
include aiding troops on the ground at sea, addition of disparate video hardware and
and in the air, helping meteorologists and software technologies made the systems
emergency management agencies predict cumbersome to operate. Although the
weather patterns, and enabling device- cameras provided excellent HD-SDI video
based GPS navigation for governments and there was no common interface across the
the public. system for operators to easily view and
control cameras. A unified video system
To ensure a safe and event-free launch, that incorporated all of the features and

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Application Note Custom Video Solutions

Launch Pad Monitoring System for United Launch Alliance

capabilities ULA demanded would require a • Each camera site was to transmit HD-
custom solution. SDI, real-time video to monitors and
recording devices in the control room.
Unique Video Requirements Camera movement was to be under the
control of joysticks and keyboard via
Initial deployment was to be at three SLCs
RS-485 over fiber.
located in Florida and California. Two of the
sites had the following requirements for the • Each camera site was to transmit IP
video system: video and camera control to video
under the control of software running
• PTZ cameras with HD optical imagers
on video servers in the control room.
that include a 30x optical zoom.
Camera control was to via a common
• PTZ cameras that include both 30x HD web interface. Camera control interface
imagers and high resolution thermal was to include fine control of all camera
imager. functions. Additionally, a fat client was
to be used to create custom operator
• All cameras to be housed in stainless interfaces for viewing and camera
steel enclosures rated for use in Class I control.
Division 1 area that could withstand the
caustic environment around a launch • Support of legacy HD-SDI and pan-tilt
pad. units

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Application Note Custom Video Solutions

Launch Pad Monitoring System for United Launch Alliance

• Deployment of dual head cameras pads. Since the cameras are certified for use
that include both optical and thermal in areas classified Class I Division 1, ULA can
imagers for enhanced safety monitoring feel confident deploying them at locations
in extreme low-light locations. where explosive gases are a certainty IVC’s
APTZ-3045-06 is mounted on a pan-tilt
The requirements at the third SLC was unit and includes a 30x optical zoom and
essentially the same as the above without outstanding low light performance.
the requirement of IP video.
Getting Video Where It Is Needed
After a comprehensive search of video
providers, ULA partnered with Industrial To enhance the safety of pad operations
Video & Control (IVC) to customize a in locations where lighting was not ideal,
complete video system that delivered the ULA deployed IVC’s PTZ-3039-09 dual
features ULA needed. IVC’s rugged cameras head camera. In addition to an HD imager,
and flexible video management software these cameras include a high-resolution
were key factors in the selection process but monochrome thermal imager.
it was IVC’s experience designing custom,
large scale video systems that won over ULA. The requirement for real-time, broadcast-
quality video of SLC activities dictated that
“Given the unique environment we’re dealing an HD-SDI video feed from each deployed
with on our launch pads, we had very specific camera was needed. At two of the sites, a
video requirements that necessitated a lot digital video feed was needed for recording
of hardware and software customization,” and camera control using IVC’s camera
said Mark Dowhan, ULA general manager management software. To meet this
and director of launch operations. “IVC requirement for both HD-SDI and digital
was the only video provider that had the in- viewing, IVC designed custom camera
house expertise to engineer exactly what we control boxes that provided the necessary
needed.” video feeds and control signals over fiber
back to the control room:
Custom Hardware to Meet
HD-SDI:
Requirements Video over fiber
IVC’s X-Series PTZ cameras are at the
The image above is from high- Camera control (RS-485) over fiber
core of the hardware solutions that were
definition video taken by IVC
provided. These high-definition, Class I IP Video:
cameras at a night time launch.
Division 1-certified HD-SDI video cameras IP Video & camera control over fiber
were selected for their rugged form factor
and rich camera capabilities. Housed in HD-SDI video gives ULA the real-time,
an electropolished 316L stainless-steel broadcast quality video needed to monitor
enclosure, the X-Series cameras are built to launch pads during those critical moments
withstand heavy shocks, vibrations, as well just prior to launch. Serial signals from
as the caustic environments found at launch camera control devices in the control room
(joysticks, keyboards, etc.) are fed to a

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Application Note Custom Video Solutions

Launch Pad Monitoring System for United Launch Alliance

custom protocol splitter in the camera’s systems into their video management
control box. This splitter parses the serial platform down the road for even greater
signals from the control room and generates management and control.
separate RS-485 and RS-232 signals that
are connected to the camera. The RS- Multiple APTZ-3045-06 video cameras are
485 connection transmits PelcoD protocol positioned in hazardous areas around the
to control the pan-tilt unit. The RS-232 SLCs and in safe areas located slightly
connection transmits VISCA commands to further away from the platforms. Each
the camera module. camera is assigned a specific function.
Some are configured to monitor personnel
The IP connection from the IVC software in hazardous areas. Others are focused
video server is connected to an HD-SDI on refueling areas. A third set of cameras
encoder in the camera’s control box. Using is positioned to monitor the separation of
IVC’s software, operators can view the digital mechanical equipment during launches.
video on their desktop screens, laptops, or Each camera is configured to capture both
IVC’s View Station software tablets. The software also provides fine IP video and HD-SDI video.
provides an unlimited number grain remote control of camera functions
of customizable operator views such as pan, tilt, zoom, shutter speed, gain, Operators are able to view live video and
that may include live video, and zoom levels. Digital video also allows control camera functions through the IVC
camera controls, view controls, video clips to be easily recorded and quickly video management interface. Separately,
and alarm events list. disseminated to launch team members the HD-SDI video is displayed on large
around world – something difficult to do screens and also recorded for playback after
with large HD-SDI video files. a launch.

Simplified Camera Viewing and Scalable for the Future

Control Based on the success of the delivery of new
To provide a common, intuitive interface cameras that met the requirements, IVC’s
for viewing and managing video, ULA ability to seamlessly integrate existing
implemented IVC’s Relay Server and View cameras, and IVC’s ability to respond to fluid
Station software. Relay Server provides point requirements, ULA is continuing to expand
and click camera control and management the video systems at Cape Canaveral and
For more information: of ULA’s network of IVC and legacy cameras Vandenberg AFB.
and is easily scalable as ULA’s camera
www.ivcco.com requirements change. It also gives ULA the Together, IVC and ULA have created a
ability to strictly manage camera access on custom video solution that meets ULA’s
[email protected] a group or per-user basis. View Station unique requirements and provides a flexible
provides a full featured operator interface platform that will support future needs.

617-467-3059 to ULA’s network of cameras. The View

Station can be configured to display any mix
of screen elements and camera controls.
The open nature of IVC’s software platform
makes it easy for ULA to integrate external

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