
However, all three have unique qualities and shouldn’t be confused with each other. Some people may confuse the “T minus” countdown system with the “L Minus” and “E Minus” countdown systems. We’ve all seen the launch videos where NASA’s command makes the legendary countdown to start the Apollo program. The “Space Race” of the sixties led to America putting the first man on the moon. The “T minus” system is the countdown system for launching projectiles and spacecraft into orbit. The expression “T minus” comes from the countdown system adopted and implanted by NASA for the space program in the 1960s. “The T minus system is the way NASA counts down to a launch, but you can use it in any life scenario where you want to countdown to the launch of an event.”

As so as they say “T minus,” I can feel the hair on the back of my neck standing up. “I get chills every time I hear NASA command make a countdown. “We’re ready for the new year the clock strikes twelve in T minus ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. Do you want us to run the system diagnostic again to check on that issue?” “T minus four minutes and counting until launch captain. Don’t forget your homework again, okay, Tommy?” I hope you have everything packed and ready to go. “Alright, kids, the bus arrives in T minus three minutes. Baton the hatches and prepare for launch in T minus ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, launch. Using T minus as a countdown usually means that you’re frustrated with waiting for people to get ready, and you’ve attached a countdown to the deadline to leave. So, by using the T minus system in a situation, you’re telling everybody that the point of departure is moments away, and they need to hurry up. When the countdown reaches zero, NASA will launch the rocket. It’s common for “ T minus launches” to start ten or 20-seconds from launch.

You could use it when trying to get people out the door to a reservation.ĭuring NASA countdowns to a rocket launches, NASA Command uses the ‘ T-minus’ system for the event, with the ‘T’ standing for the exact time until launch. It’s a way of placing a sense of urgency on something. The expression “ T minus” is a countdown system developed by NASA during the Space Race.

This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Are you looking for a way to get people to hurry up? Why not throw in a countdown to the preparations? You can use the “ T minus” countdown system to put people on a deadline to take action.
