Interfaces between launch vehicles and spacecraft

摘要

When the WG 2 members of TC 20/SC 14, Space Systems and operations, met for the first time, back in 1993, as an international committee of launch vehicle specialists, they agreed that the prime subject of interest for standardization ought to be launch vehicle and spacecraft interfaces. In fact, this was probably the first time that launch vehicle experts from Europe, Japan, Russia and the USA (China and Brazil joined the group later) started discussing about technical information on launch systems developed on national grounds and implemented by commercial agencies involved in open competition. It is amazing that this aspect never surfaced in the course of the many work sessions held by the group. On the contrary, technical discussions have always been held by all of the national experts with a scientific and objective attitude, with the constant aim of reaching final agreement. This was certainly the key to the success of this intellectual venture. This first meeting was the starting point of a long approach to the problem, including the definition of the interface concept in the context of space transportation, the characterization of the various technical aspects related to interfaces, and a consensus as to what could be the subject of standardization. In the following years, an impressive series of passionate and never-ending technical discussions, held in a multi-lingual environment, finally materialized in the first draft of a future standard entitled Launch-vehicle-to-spacecraft interfaces, now published as ISO 14303.