Rick LaBrode, NASA flight director

Rick LaBrode, a qualified Shuttle and ISS flight director, has been working on console with the 'new guys' at ESA's Columbus Control Centre during STS-122 to provide advice and face-to-face liaison between ESA and NASA. He was scheduled to return to Houston upon completion of the Shuttle's docked phase, on Flight Day 11 (17 February). LaBrode normally works as a space shuttle flight director and will next be assigned to shuttle mission STS-123 that will deliver the Japanese science lab to the ISS. He also supports ISS increment operations as an ISS flight director.