NASA Sounding Rocket Program Handbook. - NASA Visitor Center ...

810-HB-SRP
involve long, flexible booms while others involve tethers and sub-payloads; dynamics
requirements for this type of payload should be presented.
The best estimate of payload weight should be determined for the MIC, being careful
not to eliminate any significant payload components. The flight performance
characteristics of NASA sounding rocket launch vehicles are presented in Section 3
and Appendix F. An appropriate launch vehicle to meet scientific requirements can
generally be selected at the MIC.
• Instrumentation: Experiment data requirements should be available at the MIC in
sufficient detail to allow definition of the telemetry system for the payload.
Experiment programming requirements (on-board timers, uplink commands, or
special monitoring) should be discussed. A detailed description of standard
instrumentation systems is included in Section 5 of this Handbook.
• Attitude Control: Attitude knowledge, control and stabilization of space science
payloads are key elements in most science experiments. Attitude system
requirements should be fully discussed to determine the type of Attitude Control
System (ACS) required. The nature of celestial targets should be defined and any
attitude maneuver sequences employed. Pointing accuracy and stability (jitter) should
be specified. Known payload launch constraints are presented at the MIC. The types
and capabilities of sounding rocket attitude control systems are presented in Section
5.
• Navigation: requirements frequently include detailed definitive knowledge of
space/time during flight. Applicable requirements should be addressed in the MIC.
• Data Reduction: The customer can obtain assistance in data processing and analysis
from WFF. Specific data reduction requirements should be discussed at the MIC. A
description of WFF capabilities for data processing and analysis, and guidance on
requesting support, is provided in Section 9.
• Testing: SRP testing policies are detailed in Section 7. In general, all flight
payloads must be tested in accordance with the testing specifications. Any special
testing concerns or requirements should be discussed at the MIC.
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