Launch Vehicle Payload Integration Course

DURATION: THREE DAYS
COURSE NO.: 2055

This three-day course offers a detailed look at the launch vehicle/payload integration process.  Class discussions start at the beginning of a space mission and continue through launch with a detailed look at the expendable launch vehicle (ELV) payload and mission integration process. Attendees will gain insight into deliverables, schedules, critical  interfaces, requirements and verification management, and the roles and responsibilities of key individuals and organizations involved in a spacecraft  project. Mission integration/systems engineering processes are explored and launch campaigns (including ground processing and critical events leading up to launch) are discussed. The successful Integration Manager must understanding and manage critical interfaces, data, deliverables, schedules and requirements. These topics are explored in detail. The significant technical content available in the Launch Vehicle Payload Planners guides is explored with detailed explanations offered to specific questions raised during the class. Mission integration challenges and solutions imposed by special payload requirements related to such items as solid rocket motors, upper stages handling and ground processing for nuclear power supplies are described. A primary objective of this course is to leave the attendees with a clear end-to-end understanding of the payload integration  process and insight into how to successfully execute such critical processes

COURSE MATERIALS:
Each attendee will receive a complete set of the printed course materials.

This course is intended for spacecraft project managers, mission designers, systems engineers and payload engineers, principal investigators, and integration engineers and supervisors. The focus is primarily on those who have never managed or experienced significant involvement in the payload integration process.

Successfully defining, tailoring and implementing critical integration requirements and limitations of individual payload systems. Effectively implementing mechanical, electrical, data and separation interfaces. Dealing with fairing doors, payload physical access, and contamination control techniques. Effectively using mission planners guides. Dealing with the range, payload and launch vehicle data deliverables and documents. Effective use of pathfinders, payload contamination control, ground communications, and ground processing. Proper conduct of Mission Integration and Ground Operation Working Group meetings, critical milestones and events, schedules, processing and the launch campaign.

COURSE OUTLINE:

1. Major Elements of Mission Integration
Roles and Responsibilities, Preliminary Planning Tasks, Government Agencies, The Mission Planners Guide, Launch site Flow

2. Launch Vehicle Interfaces
Payload Adaptors, Separation Systems and tip off dynamics, umbilical interfaces, electrical and RF interfaces, Fairings, static and dynamic envelopes, fairing doors and physical access, Environmental controls, Cleanliness, airborne separating interfaces, purge interfaces and implementation

3. Meetings, Schedules and Critical Events
Mission Integration meetings, integration schedules, pre-launch critical milestones and meetings, ground operation working groups, managing actions and requirements, successful implementation of schedules. How to recognize critical issues, events and organize and run efficient integration meetings.

4. Documents and Deliverables
Spacecraft payload supplied data and analysis products, electronic models, Interface Control Documents (ICD’s), Interface requirements Documents (IRD’s), Launch Site Support Plans, Range Safety  Documents, Requirements management and Verifications.

5. The Launch Campaign
Payload arrival, early payload and Launch Vehicle integration activities, tests and verifications.  The processing facility interactions and coordination with the payload and launch vehicle, payload transport and launch vehicle mating roles, responsibilities, actions, timelines, etc. Integration flow, spacecraft mate and consolidated payload and Launch Vehicle testing, critical pad activities, final preparations for launch, Launch and post launch activities.

6. Payload Supplied Solid Motors and Upper Stages
Special Integration challenges posed by  payload supplied kick motors and upper stages. Safe and arm systems, flight Termination systems, integrated trajectory and performance, Safety and Mission Assurance challenges, Spinning and thrust vector controlled stages.

7. Nuclear Powered Payload Integration
Introduction the nuclear systems (RTG’s, MMRTG’s, RHU’s, ASRG’s). Nuclear mission typical Integration flow, crew certification, pathfinders. An overview of the nuclear launch approval process including the data books, launch vehicle certification, environmental impact statement, etc.