manuallaunch

Manuallaunch refers to the initiation of a launch sequence through human action rather than fully automated control. The term combines manual and launch and is used in aerospace, rocketry, and defense contexts to describe procedures in which crew members or ground operators perform activation steps, countdowns, or ignition manually, or override automated systems under specific conditions.

In practice, manuallaunch can involve manual ignition of rocket engines, manual hold-down release, a hand-activated countdown, or a manual push of an ignition switch after verification checks. It may also include manual abort triggers performed if an anomaly is detected during prelaunch phases. Some systems distinguish between remote manual launches conducted from a control room and on-pad manual initiations performed on the launch platform itself, often with strict interlocks and two-person verification to reduce risk.

Manual launches are relatively rare in modern space operations due to safety, reliability, and redundancy requirements, which favor automated sequences with human oversight rather than direct control. Manual procedures are more commonly retained as contingency options or for test programs, where operators confirm readiness and can intervene during anomalies or power failures.

The concept has parallels in other fields, such as manual start of large industrial processes or manual overrides in automated aviation or propulsion testing. See also manual override, launch sequence, automated launch, contingency procedures.