Category Scope

14 Ground Support Systems and Facilities (Space)

Includes launch complexes, research and production facilities; ground support equipment, e.g., mobile transporters; and test chambers and simulators. Also includes extraterrestrial bases and supporting equipment. For related information see also 09 Research and Support Facilities (Air).

Definition

Ground Support Systems and Facilities (Space) – That ground-based equipment, land, and buildings, including all implements, tools, and devices (mobile or fixed), required to inspect, test, adjust, calibrate, appraise, gage, measure, repair, overhaul, assemble, disassemble, transport, safeguard, record, store, or otherwise function in support of a rocket, space vehicle, or the like, either in the research and development, or in an operational phase, or in support of the guidance system used with the missile vehicle, or the like. Modified from the term Ground-Support Equipment. Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use. Wm. H. Allen, ed., 1965. NASA SP-7.

NASA Interest

Exhaustive Interest : All information dealing with spaceports; launch towers; spacecraft and launch vehicle simulators; test facilities for spacecraft, launch vehicles and propulsion systems, and transporters; shuttlecraft landing facilities; ground-support equipment.

Selective Interest : Hangars, maintenance facilities, airports, airways, launch complexes, land transportation information that deals with transportation and safety to, from, and on launch complexes, and aerial navigation and tracking facilities when used in support of astronautical activities.

Negative Interest : Military mobile transporters and missile storage silos.

Input Subjects of Specific Interest