Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory worked with Bay State Design, Inc. on the design of the Chandra X-Ray Astrophysics Facility Operations Control Center (AXAF OCC) with supporting office space. AXAF is a NASA sponsored satellite telescope launched from the Space Shuttle. It receives X-Ray data transmitted to the OCC for storage and graphic imaging. AXAF is the third of NASA’s “Great Observatories” and was launched high above the earth’s atmosphere to perform this important scientific program of X-Ray astronomy. The AXAF OCC is the first example of a major satellite control center operated outside of a NASA center.

BSD successfully met tight scheduling and budgetary constraints by delivering the OCC on-time and within budget to support the AXAF launch. The project involved the renovation of an entire floor of a seven-story building at Draper Laboratory, a Cambridge high-tech office complex.

The employees often work in the control room round-the-clock for critical phases of the mission. The control room, on raised access flooring, is likened to a main computer room, also on access flooring. This space contains the computer hardware necessary to handle the unique data sent from the AXAF satellite and links with NASA facilities worldwide. The project also includes first—class office space, break room, showers, security system, a rooftop standby generator, and an HVAC design allowing operation of the control center on an emergency round-the-clock basis. Brian P. O’Donnell, AIA, was the Principal in charge and responsible for the architectural design of the project.