5.6.1 Overview
Test and support equipment includes all tools, condition-monitoring equipment, diagnostic and checkout equipment, special test equipment, metrology and calibration equipment, maintenance fixtures and stands, and special handling equipment required to support operation and
maintenance functions.
The goal of support equipment (SE) planning for the SLSP is to ensure that the required support and test equipment are available in locations where needed in a timely manner and to minimize the unique types of support equipment necessary for Program support.
The SLS SE is separated into vehicle and element support equipment. The vehicle equipment is developed for multi-purpose use providing operations support services for all SLS Elements. Element equipment is SE developed for operations support services that are unique to each Element. Development of all vehicle equipment is the responsibility of the SLSP, while development of the Element equipment is the responsibility of each Element.
SE design is driven by unique requirements for handling, lifting, accessing, testing, and transporting the SLS flight article and elements. There are two aspects of how SE will be
analyzed in the logistics process: 1) flight article support, and 2) SE support. The results of each will be captured in the SLS LSAR database. The exception may be heritage hardware. SLS- SPEC-030-5, SLSP Support Equipment Specification Volume 5: Heritage Ground Support Equipment Certification Process Plan, defines the process in which available data elements for certification are assessed including logistics data required for the LSAR.
5.6.2 Supportability for Support Equipment
The SLSP SE supportability engineering effort is focused on limiting the system total ownership cost (TOC) through the early identification and reduction of cost drivers. The goal of SE
supportability is to influence the system design to consider supportability requirements, resolve all system support issues as early as possible, and secure the support resources required over the system life cycle. The SLSP SE will be cost effectively maintained. The areas of emphasis will include supportability engineering planning, operations and maintenance (O&M) planning, operator/maintainer (O/M) personnel, technical manuals (TMs), training programs, and unique identification.
The resources and spares to support SLS SE will be identified and captured in the LSAR database. The SLSP will develop a spares list for all common Program SE for inclusion in the LSAR. Each SLS Element will provide a spares list as part of the data delivered to be included in the SLS LSAR database.
The SLSP SE hardware and software design and operations will support O&M requirements, while assuring that it does not degrade or contaminate associated flight or ground systems during use, test/checkout, servicing, or handling operations. The SE design will consider human factors and efficiency of operations by providing for ease of operation, maintenance, servicing, and inspection of the hardware and software. The use of specialized tools will be avoided to the maximum extent possible.
5.6.3 Maintainability for Support Equipment
The SE Operations and S&MA teams will provide support for development and distribution of all maintainability related products and support. The S&MA support includes new Element SE design efforts to reduce the complexity and frequency of maintenance, the maintenance
resources required to keep the system operational, and maintenance downtime both of the operational system and the SE. Maintenance on the system by the use of SE, and on SE, should not jeopardize the TPMs of element readiness and availability, nor extend operational timelines beyond the allowable limits.
5.6.4 Support Equipment Packaging, Handling, Storage, and Transportation 5.6.4.1 Packaging, Handling, and Storage for Support Equipment
The PHS&T requirements and processes are traceable to the SLS system design process so the SE will be properly protected during movement and storage. The PHS&T requirements for SE can be found in SLS-SPEC-030-02, SLSP Support Equipment Specification, Volume II: GSE Design and Construction Requirements. The resources, processes, and techniques needed to ensure that the SLS will be properly protected during movement and storage will be identified and documented by each SLS Element. Each Element is to develop a plan for SLS items/parts identification and labeling. The plan will include identification and labeling of items/parts for safety warnings and cautions, manufacturing markings, and a wide variety of logistics
information (e.g., handling, storage, and environmental constraints). The SLSP will implement and adhere to NPR 6000.1.
Program philosophy and general guidance for the SLS dictates that items/parts will be marked with unique identifiers in accordance with MIL-STD-130. Existing storage facilities will be evaluated for adequacy.
5.6.4.2 Transportation for Support Equipment
Requirements for packaging, handling and transportation of Support Equipment will be in accordance with NPR 6000.1.
5.6.5 Support Equipment Sustainment
Sustaining engineering is the technical effort to support an in-service system or vehicle during its operational phase. This effort spans those technical tasks to ensure continued operation,
production, manufacturing, and maintenance of the support equipment with managed risk. As a part of this process, the SLSP will utilize supportability engineering and sustaining engineering principles to design systems that require minimal manpower, provide effective training, and can be operated and maintained for a reasonable and affordable cost by the government.
The SLS SE is designed and developed by the Program to deliver SLS flight hardware from manufacturing to the KSC launch site facilities. Some components of the SE systems for both the Program- and Element-level SE will be transferred to GSDOP during the process of moving and supporting flight hardware systems of Elements. The SE involved that is transferred to GSDO will be classified as ―resident SE.‖ The SE that returns to the manufacturing site for reuse will be classified as ―rotational SE.‖ Sustaining engineering responsibilities for the resident SE will become a GSDOP activity <TBR-002>, and rotational SE will continue to be the responsibility of the SLS Program. Sustaining engineering for the SLS SE will be in accordance with SLS- PLAN-093. A complete listing of SE classified as resident and/or rotational can be found in the MSFC Support Equipment Management System (SEMS) database. Refer to SLS-SPEC-030-01 SLSP Support Equipment Specification Vol. 1.