Launch Vehicle Payload Integration

Include extensive notes and reference materials.

This course is intended for Project Managers, Mission System, Spacecraft System and Payload System Engineers, Principal Investigators, and future integration engineers, managers and supervisors of integration engineering staff. The focus is primarily on those who have never managed or experienced significant involvement in a launch vehicle payload and mission integration process including the management and coordination of the ground operations involved in a launch campaign.

How to recognize, define, tailor and successfully implement the critical requirements and limitations of the individual launch vehicle and spacecraft payload systems into a working launch system. How to effectively implement mechanical, electrical, communication and separating interfaces and systems. Fairing doors, payload physical access, contamination control techniques. Effectively using the Mission Planners Guides. Interacting with the range, payload and launch vehicle data deliverables and  documents, effective use of pathfinders, payload contamination control, ground communications, ground processing. Conduct of the Mission Integration and Ground Operation Working Group meetings, critical milestones and events, schedules, processing and the launch campaign.

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, 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. Organizing and Running Efficient Integration Meetings.
4. Documents and Deliverables
   Spacecraft Payload-Supplied Data and Analysis Products. Electronic Models. Interface Control Documents (ICD’s) and 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. 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.