Orbital Minotaur I - Manual (Page 62)

Minotaur I User’s Guide Section 6.0 – Mission Integration
6.3. Mission Integration Process
6.3.1. Integration Meetings
The core of the mission integration process consists of a series of Mission Integration and Range
Working Groups (MIWG and RWG, respectively). The MIWG has responsibility for all physical interfaces
between the payload and the launch vehicle. As such, the MIWG develops the Payload-to-Minotaur ICD
in addition to all mission-unique analyses, hardware, software, and integrated procedures. The RWG is
responsible for items associated with launch site operations. Examples of such items include range
interfaces, hazardous procedures, system safety, and trajectory design. Documentation produced by the
RWG includes all required range and safety submittals.
Working Group membership consists of the Mission Manager and representatives from Minotaur I
engineering and operations organizations, as well as their counterparts from the customer organization.
While the number of meetings, both formal and informal, required to develop and implement the mission
integration process will vary with the complexity of the spacecraft, quarterly meetings are typical.
6.3.2. Mission Design Reviews (MDR)
Two mission-specific design reviews will be held to determine the status and adequacy of the launch
vehicle mission preparations. They are designated MDR-1 and MDR-2 and are typically held 6 months
and 13 months, respectively, after authority to proceed. They are each analogous to Preliminary Design
Reviews (PDRs) and Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), but focus primarily on mission-specific elements of
the launch vehicle effort.
6.3.3. Readiness Reviews
During the integration process, readiness reviews are held to provide the coordination of mission
participants and gain approval to proceed to the next phase of activity from senior management. Due to
the variability in complexity of different payloads, missions, and mission assurance categories, the
content and number of these reviews are tailored to customer requirements. A brief description of each
readiness review is provided below:
a. Pre-Ship Readiness Review — Conducted prior to committing flight hardware and personnel to
the field. The PSRR provides testing results on all formal systems tests and reviews the major
mechanical assemblies which are completed and ready for shipping at least T-60 days. Safety
status and field operations planning are also provided covering Range flight termination, ground
hazards, spaceport coordination status, and facility preparation and readiness.
b. Incremental Readiness Review (IRR) – The quantity and timing of IRR(s) depends on the
complexity and Mission Assurance Category of the mission. IRRs typically occur 2-12 months
prior to the launch date. IRR provides an early assessment of the integrated launch
vehicle/payload/facility readiness.
c. Mission Readiness Review (MRR) — Conducted within 2 months of launch, the MRR provides
a pre-launch assessment of integrated launch vehicle/payload/facility readiness prior to
committing significant resources to the launch campaign.
d. Flight Readiness Review (FRR) – The FRR is conducted at L-10 days and determines the
readiness of the integrated launch vehicle/payload/facility for a safe and successful launch. It also
ensures that all flight and ground hardware, software, personnel, and procedures are
operationally ready.
e. Launch Readiness Review (LRR) — The LRR is conducted at L-1 day and serves as the final
assessment of mission readiness prior to activation of range resources on the day of launch.
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