Operational Simulators: Testing solutions on earth before going to space

Spacecraft require constant oversight from ground experts at every moment of their missions. Whether before launch, in Earth orbit or voyaging across our Solar System, each critical phase of a mission must be simulated by sophisticated software models to confirm that new commands or new on board procedures will work as intended - and that the flight control team is trained for any contingency. And if something does go wrong, solutions must be verified on the simulator before being sent up for use in flight.