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

810-HB-SRP
2.4 Payload Fabrication and Pre-Integration Testing
New mechanical and electrical hardware is fabricated in the shop facilities at WFF. Payload
specific hardware is fabricated and assembled at WFF, with the exception of standard flight
systems such as ignition/despin/separation systems, attitude control/boost guidance systems,
recovery systems, and nose cones. Mechanical hardware is assembled and fit-checked prior
to integration with scientific instrumentation provided by the customer. Electrical and
telemetry instrumentation wiring and components are assembled and tested prior to
integration with the customer's electrical/data systems to facilitate a smooth, trouble-free
integration effort. Special pre-integration design qualification tests are often performed for
new separation/ejection/deployment mechanisms, vacuum doors, and other devices. These
special tests are in addition to the total payload post-integration testing that must be
successfully completed before flight.
Figure 2.4.1 The Very Complex Pfaff Payload Used
Extended Booms to Investigate Sporadic E Events
in the Ionosphere; Pfaff 21.126 Launched
on 26 June 2001.
Figure 2.4-2 Mentored by NSROC Staff,
UVA Students begin Electrical Wiring of the
Laufer 30.046 payload for the University’s
“first ever” launch, 27 April 2001.
2.5 Pre-Integration Review (PIR)
A PIR by the project team (Mission Manager, subsystem disciplines and science) occurs prior
to payload testing and integration. The purpose of this meeting is to assess the Mission
Team’s readiness to support payload integration activities prior to authorizing travel by the
customer or his staff. This serves to insure that the customer is not inconvenienced in having
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