ISO 17689:2023

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 17689
Second edition
2023-08
Space systems — Interface control
documents between ground systems,
ground support equipment and launch
vehicle with payload
Systèmes spatiaux — Documents de contrôle d'interface entre les
systèmes au sol, l'équipement de soutien au sol et le véhicule de
lancement de charge utile
Reference number
© ISO 2023
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General . 3
5 Requirements to ICD execution .6
5.1 Requirements to item ICD execution . 6
5.2 Requirements to execution of summary list of launch site ICD .12
6 ICD development, validation and verification stages .13
6.1 Working stages .13
6.2 Verification and validation procedures . 15
Bibliography .16
iii
Foreword
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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 17689:2015), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— terms were updated.
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iv
Introduction
This document is intended for application at realization of interstate, intergovernmental or non-
governmental space activities, between operators of different countries and organizations on the basis
of their space activity contracts.
Interfaced (connected) devices development by two and more designers (commands, organizations,
developers of other specializations, etс.) creates a need for coordination between them to prevent
interfaces incompatibility, taking into account unlimited possibilities for design (structure)
improvement in the course of space systems development.
Interface control documents (ICDs) make it possible to systematically create (develop), operate and
manage interfaces (see Clause 1) at all stages of the life cycle of a launch system. They are necessary
in order to ensure the normal functioning of a launch system, prevent accidents and reduce acceptable
risks when implementing joint space projects and providing spacecraft launch services. ICD between
payload and a launch vehicle is defined in ISO 15863.
Application of this document at design and development stages improves control and compatibility of
interfaces (see Clause 1).
Application of this document at operation stage improves a launch system safety and facilitates control
of interfaces.
Interface control documents format defined in this document does not contain the descriptions
regarding various properties of ground support equipment (i.e. performance, functions or endurance
to launch mechanical environment or quality assurance provisions), which are defined in technical
specifications.
Control of interfaces, independently of its frequency or depth, cannot replace stages of parameters
definition of high-quality production and development of technical requirements of project, design and
development. Interfaces control is used as a control process that can provide necessary verification of
successful finishing of design at a stated in contract period.
v
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 17689:2023(E)
Space systems — Interface control documents between
ground systems, ground support equipment and launch
vehicle with payload
1 Scope
This document establishes basic requirements for interface control documents (ICD) writing and
interface control procedures for the following items included in the launch system: payload, launch
vehicle, ground support equipment (according to ISO 14625) and launch site (buildings with utility
systems), specifically:
a) ICD between the ground support equipment and the payload;
b) ICD between the ground support equipment and the launch vehicle;
c) ICD between items of the ground support equipment;
d) ICD between the ground support equipment and the launch site.
This document is applicable to organizations developing ground support equipment and to operators
performing space activity.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
acceptable risk
safety risk, the severity and the probability of which can be reasonably accepted by humanity, without
durable or irreversible foreseeable consequence on health, Earth, and the environment, at the present
time and in the future
EXAMPLE A safety risk can be acceptable for crew members of a manned space vehicle when it is comparable
to that of test pilots, for the personnel participating in hazardous activities when it is comparable to that of
industrial workers, for people, public and private property, and the environment when it is comparable to that of
other hazardous human activities (e.g. high-speed surface travel).
3.2
accident
undesired event arising from operation of any project-specific items which results in:
a) human death or injury;
b) loss of, or damage to, project hardware, software or facilities that can then affect the accomplishment
of the mission;
c) loss of, or damage to, public or private property; or
d) detrimental effects on the environment
[SOURCE: ISO 14620-1:2018, 3.1.1, modified — "and" has been changed to "or" at the end of item c); note
1 to entry has been removed.]
3.3
ground support equipment
non-flight systems, equipment or devices necessary to support the operations of transporting,
receiving, handling, assembly, inspection, test, checkout, servicing, launch and recovery of a space
system at launch, landing or retrieval sites
[SOURCE: ISO 14625:2023, 3.1.5, modified — The abbreviated term "GSE" has been removed.]
3.4
hazard
existing or potential condition that can result in an accident (3.2)
[SOURCE: ISO 14623:2003, 2.30]
3.5
ICD for ground support equipment
interface control document for ground support equipment
document which describes mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, electric and other parameters of
interfaces between the ground support equipment (3.3) and the launch vehicle (3.10), items of the ground
support equipment, the ground support equipment and launch site (3.8) objects (building constructions
with technical systems), and which is used to control these parameters
3.6
interfaces controller
specialist in the scope of launch complexes (3.7) or organization of space activity which controls
interface control document (ICD) observance by organization-executor at realization of contract of
space technics creation
Note 1 to entry: Interfaces controllers may be indicated in the contract between the space technics leading
developers and executors. The leading developer can let a contract with the interfaces controller.
3.7
launch complex
site assigned to or owned by a launch vehicle (3.10) operator to operate a launch vehicle
[SOURCE: ISO 14620-2:2019, 3.9]
3.8
launch site
site necessary for the prelaunch and launch operations of a space vehicle and for the in-flight operations
during the launch phase
[SOURCE: ISO 14620-2:2019, 3.11]
3.9
launch system
system made up of a launch vehicle (3.10), the associated launch complex (3.7), launch site (3.8), payload
(3.11), ground support equipment (3.3) and associated airborne equipment (including software), control
systems, navigation system, trajectories, procedures, necessary personnel, and any other associated
items
[SOURCE: ISO 14620-2:2019, 3.13]
3.10
launch vehicle
vehicle designed to transport payloads (3.11) to space
[SOURCE: EN 16601-00-01:2015, 2.3.127]
3.11
payload
set of space segment elements (parts of a space system, placed in space, to fulfil the space mission
objectives)
Note 1 to entry: A spacecraft payload is a set of instruments or equipment that performs the user mission.
Note 2 to entry: A launcher payload is a set of space segment elements carried into space in accordance with
agreed position, time and environmental conditions.
[SOURCE: ISO 10795:2019, 3.165, modified — The abbreviated term "P/L" has been removed.]
4 General
4.1 An ICD for ground support equipment is developed as a separate document for each part included
in the launch system: payload, launch vehicle, items of ground support equipment, launch site (building
constructions with technical systems):
a) ICD between the ground support equipment and the payload;
b) ICD between the ground support equipment and the launch vehicle;
c) ICD between items of the ground support equipment;
d) ICD between the ground support equipment and the launch site.
The leading enterprise-developer of the ground support equipment is responsible for the development
of a list of ICD for this equipment.
The leading enterprise-developer of a launch site supervises types, quantity, and location of interfaces
of ground support equipment items, which are developed by the enterprises according to ICD for the
items.
The developers of components of a launch site develop ICD and coordinate them with other enterprises,
which are developers of the interface elements.
4.2 When a joint project is implemented by several participants, it is an enterprise, which owns a
finished (existing) part or an element of a system, that has an advantage in making a decision about
interface structures over participants, which have yet to develop an interface part of a system.
The organization, which provides space
...