ISO 15864:2021

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 15864
Second edition
2021-07
Space systems — General test methods
for spacecraft, subsystems and units
Systèmes spatiaux — Méthodes d'essai générales pour véhicules
spatiaux, sous-systèmes et équipements
Reference number
©
ISO 2021
© ISO 2021
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ii © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .vii
Introduction .viii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 1
3.1 Terms and definitions . 1
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 3
4 General requirements . 3
4.1 Testing philosophy . 3
4.2 Tailoring of requirements . 3
4.3 Development tests . 4
4.4 Qualification tests . 4
4.5 Acceptance tests . 4
4.6 Proto-flight tests . 4
4.7 Prelaunch validation tests . 4
4.8 Retest . 5
4.8.1 General. 5
4.8.2 Retest due to design modification after completion of qualification. 5
4.8.3 Retest due to non-conformance . 5
4.8.4 Retest after refurbishment . 5
4.8.5 Retest during and after long-term storage . 5
4.9 Test documentation . 5
4.9.1 General. 5
4.9.2 Test plans . 5
4.9.3 Test specifications . . . 6
4.9.4 Test procedures. 6
4.9.5 Test data . 6
4.9.6 Test reports. 7
4.9.7 Test log . 7
4.10 Tests facilities and other requirements . 7
4.10.1 General. 7
4.10.2 Test condition tolerances . 7
4.10.3 Instrumentation . 7
5 Spacecraft system tests . 7
5.1 Test items and sequence . 7
5.2 Test levels and duration . 8
6 Subsystem/unit tests . 8
6.1 Test items and sequence . 8
6.2 Test levels and duration . 8
7 Test requirements .16
7.1 General .16
7.2 Functional test .16
7.2.1 Purpose of test .16
7.2.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .16
7.2.3 Test article configuration .16
7.2.4 Monitoring during test . .16
7.2.5 Test levels and duration .16
7.2.6 Test condition and guidelines .16
7.2.7 Tailoring guide .17
7.3 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test .17
7.3.1 Purpose of test .17
7.3.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .17
7.3.3 Test article configuration .17
7.3.4 Monitoring during test . .17
7.3.5 Test levels and duration .17
7.3.6 Test condition and guidelines .17
7.3.7 Tailoring guide .17
7.4 Magnetic test .18
7.4.1 Purpose of test .18
7.4.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .18
7.4.3 Test article configuration .18
7.4.4 Monitoring during test . .18
7.4.5 Test levels and duration .18
7.4.6 Test condition and guidelines .18
7.4.7 Tailoring guide .18
7.5 Antenna pattern test .18
7.5.1 Purpose of test .18
7.5.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .18
7.5.3 Test article configuration .18
7.5.4 Monitoring during test . .19
7.5.5 Test levels and duration .19
7.5.6 Test condition and guidelines .19
7.5.7 Tailoring guide .19
7.6 Optical alignment measurement .19
7.6.1 Purpose of test .19
7.6.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .19
7.6.3 Test article configuration .19
7.6.4 Monitoring during test . .19
7.6.5 Test levels and duration .19
7.6.6 Test condition and guidelines .19
7.6.7 Tailoring guide .19
7.7 Physical property measurement.20
7.7.1 Purpose of test .20
7.7.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .20
7.7.3 Test article configuration .20
7.7.4 Monitoring during test . .20
7.7.5 Test levels and duration .20
7.7.6 Test condition and guidelines .20
7.7.7 Tailoring guide .20
7.8 Dynamic balance .20
7.8.1 Purpose of test .20
7.8.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .20
7.8.3 Test article configuration .20
7.8.4 Monitoring during test . .21
7.8.5 Test levels and duration .21
7.8.6 Test condition and guidelines .21
7.8.7 Tailoring guide .21
7.9 Launcher/spacecraft interface test .21
7.9.1 Purpose of test .21
7.9.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .21
7.9.3 Test article configuration .21
7.9.4 Monitoring during test . .21
7.9.5 Test levels and duration .21
7.9.6 Test condition and guidelines .21
7.9.7 Tailoring guide .22
7.10 Static load test .22
7.10.1 Purpose of test .22
7.10.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .22
7.10.3 Test article configuration .22
7.10.4 Monitoring during test . .22
iv © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

7.10.5 Test levels and duration .22
7.10.6 Test condition and guidelines .22
7.10.7 Tailoring guide .22
7.11 Acceleration test .22
7.11.1 Purpose of test .22
7.11.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .23
7.11.3 Test article configuration .23
7.11.4 Monitoring during test . .23
7.11.5 Test levels and duration .23
7.11.6 Test condition and guidelines .23
7.11.7 Tailoring guide .23
7.12 Modal survey .23
7.12.1 Purpose of test .23
7.12.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .23
7.12.3 Test article configuration .23
7.12.4 Monitoring during test . .24
7.12.5 Test levels and duration .24
7.12.6 Test condition and guidelines .24
7.12.7 Tailoring guide .24
7.13 Sinusoidal vibration test .24
7.13.1 Purpose of test .24
7.13.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .24
7.13.3 Test article configuration .24
7.13.4 Monitoring during test . .24
7.13.5 Test levels and duration .25
7.13.6 Test condition and guidelines .25
7.13.7 Tailoring guide .25
7.14 Random vibration test .25
7.14.1 Purpose of test .25
7.14.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .25
7.14.3 Test article configuration .25
7.14.4 Monitoring during test . .25
7.14.5 Test levels and duration .26
7.14.6 Test condition and guidelines .26
7.14.7 Tailoring guide .26
7.15 Acoustic test .26
7.15.1 Purpose of test .26
7.15.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .26
7.15.3 Test article configuration .26
7.15.4 Monitoring during test . .26
7.15.5 Test levels and duration .26
7.15.6 Test condition and guidelines .27
7.15.7 Tailoring guide .27
7.16 Shock test .27
7.16.1 Purpose of test .27
7.16.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .27
7.16.3 Test article configuration .27
7.16.4 Monitoring during test . .27
7.16.5 Test levels and duration .27
7.16.6 Test condition and guidelines .27
7.16.7 Tailoring guide .27
7.17 Thermal balance test .28
7.17.1 Purpose of test .28
7.17.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .28
7.17.3 Test article configuration .28
7.17.4 Monitoring during test . .28
7.17.5 Test levels and duration .28
7.17.6 Test condition and guidelines .28
7.17.7 Tailoring guide .28
7.18 Thermal vacuum test .29
7.18.1 Purpose of test .29
7.18.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .29
7.18.3 Test article configuration .29
7.18.4 Monitoring during test . .29
7.18.5 Test levels and duration .29
7.18.6 Test condition and guidelines .30
7.18.7 Tailoring guide .30
7.19 Thermal cycle test .30
7.19.1 Purpose of test .30
7.19.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .30
7.19.3 Test article configuration .30
7.19.4 Monitoring during test . .30
7.19.5 Test levels and duration .30
7.19.6 Test condition and guidelines .30
7.19.7 Tailoring guide .31
7.20 Pressure test .31
7.20.1 Purpose of test .31
7.20.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .31
7.20.3 Test article configuration .31
7.20.4 Monitoring during test . .31
7.20.5 Test levels and duration .31
7.20.6 Test condition and guidelines .32
7.20.7 Tailoring guide .32
7.21 Leakage test .32
7.21.1 Purpose of test .32
7.21.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .32
7.21.3 Test article configuration .32
7.21.4 Monitoring during test . .32
7.21.5 Test levels and duration .32
7.21.6 Test condition and guidelines .32
7.21.7 Tailoring guide .32
7.22 Burn-in and wear-in test .33
7.22.1 Purpose of test .33
7.22.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .33
7.22.3 Test article configuration .33
7.22.4 Monitoring during test . .33
7.22.5 Test levels and duration .33
7.22.6 Test condition and guidelines .33
7.22.7 Tailoring guide .33
7.23 Tracking and control system/spacecraft compatibility test .33
7.23.1 Purpose of test .33
7.23.2 Test facilities and set-up as basic requirements .34
7.23.3 Test article configuration .34
7.23.4 Monitoring during test . .34
7.23.5 Test levels and duration .34
7.23.6 Test condition and guidelines .34
7.23.7 Tailoring guide .34
vi © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 20, Aircraft and space vehicles,
Subcommittee SC 14, Space systems and operations.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 15864:2004), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— harmonized expressions throughout this document, including terminologies;
— added necessary but minimum modifications to requirements such as traceability in 4.9.6 and
magnetic test in 7.4;
— added the most current published documents as normative references: ISO 19924 and ISO 21494.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
Introduction
Throughout this document, the minimum essential criteria are identified by the use of the keyword
“shall”. Recommended criteria are identified by the use of the keyword “should” and, while not
mandatory, are considered to be of primary importance in providing serviceable, economical
and practical designs. Deviations from the recommended criteria should occur only after careful
consideration, extensive testing and thorough service evaluation have shown alternative methods to be
satisfactory. The acceptance criteria, specifications or procedures, and other detail test requirements
applicable to a particular programme are defined in the applicable technical specifications and
statement of work. When requirements have to be verified by measuring product performance and
function under various simulated environments, the method is referred to as “Test”. The requirements
of this document may be tailored for each specific space programme application.
viii © ISO 2021 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 15864:2021(E)
Space systems — General test methods for spacecraft,
subsystems and units
1 Scope
This document provides the baseline standard on the subject of testing at the system, subsystem and
unit levels for applicable unmanned spacecraft programmes. It also provides the requirements for
documentation associated with testing activities.
This document contains provisions for qualification and acceptance testing, or proto-flight testing
(PFT). It assumes that hardware development is complete.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 14302, Space systems — Electromagnetic compatibility requirements
ISO 14303, Space systems — Launch-vehicle-to-spacecraft interfaces
ISO 14623, Space systems - Pressure vessels and pres
...