AIAA R-099-2001

This document identifies the processes and methodologies of space launch integration and recommends demonstrated practices that can improve the launch integration process. These recommended practices are drawn from both government and commercial sectors. They are identified in four areas: physical and environmental interfaces; pre- and post-launch operations and processes; requirements, verification, analysis, and test; and mission assurance and risk management. In selecting the recommended practices, the following considerations are significant: level of effort, the launch integration process itself, required products and services, project organization, metrics, process improvement, and streamlining. The recommended practices described in this document are based on the evolution of current standard practice as illustrated by ISO International Standards for space systems and other documents.