Roll program

A roll program or tilt maneuver is an aerodynamic maneuver that alters the attitude of a vertically launched space launch vehicle. The maneuver is used to place the spacecraft on a proper heading toward its intended orbit.

A roll program is completed shortly after the vehicle clears the tower. In the case of a crewed mission, a crew member (usually the commander) reports the roll to mission control which is then acknowledged by the capsule communicator.[1]

Space Shuttle launch

Space Shuttle Atlantis performs the roll maneuver shortly after launching from Kennedy Space Center on STS-129.

During the launch of a space shuttle, the roll program is simultaneously accompanied by a pitch maneuver and yaw maneuver.[2]

The roll program occurs during a shuttle launch for the following reasons:

Titan II and Saturn V launch

Titan II and Saturn V launches also required roll programs.[2]

References

  1. NASA - STS-117 Lift Off! ATLANTIS: "Houston, Atlantis. Roll program." Voice 1: "Roger roll, Atlantis".
  2. 2.0 2.1 Jenks, Ken. "Why does the shuttle roll just after liftoff?".