scope:

Purpose

This interim standard establishes top-level requirements and guidance for design and fabrication of ground support equipment (GSE) to assist NASA space flight programs/projects in providing robust, safe, reliable, maintainable, supportable, and cost-effective GSE.

Applicability

The application of this standard to NASA space flight programs is at the discretion of the program. This standard recommends a set of GSE design requirements for NASA programs and projects. The requirements described here are applicable to all NASA space flight programs that process space flight pedigree hardware using GSE.

This standard may be cited in contracts, program, and other Agency documents as a technical requirement. Mandatory requirements are indicated by the word "shall"; italicized text indicates explanatory or guidance text. These requirements may be tailored for specific programs/projects by documenting the proposed changes/tailoring; tailored requirements shall be approved by the Technical Authority for the program or project. Tailoring also includes using existing or previously developed contractor processes and standards as a submittal of the various required plans.

Programs, projects, and elements are responsible for flowing requirements down to contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers of components at the lowest level. Program contractors may elect to manufacture deliverable GSE to flight hardware requirements if using flight hardware requirements represents an overall cost savings.

Along with identifying this standard for design and development of GSE, Programs, in conjunction with Engineering and S&MA organizations, have the responsibility to provide the following:

a. Determining categories or types (e.g., critical vs. non-critical) of GSE and any additional requirements resulting from these categories or types;

b. Establishing and defining where this standard will be applied when such boundaries require clarification;

c. Establishing program and project-specific requirements; and

d. Establishing minimum configuration management systems to retain the required documentation.

intended Use: