MIL-HDBK-1811

Abstract

This handbook provides guidance for establishing uniform procedures for the control, determination, and documentation of mass properties of space vehicles and their subsystems and components. <br>The general purpose of this handbook is to describe terminology, processes and procedures for developing sound mass properties engineering practices. This handbook is derived from the applicable documents References 1 and 2. Reference 1 has been incorporated into the main body of this handbook. Reference 2 was modified and incorporated as Appendix E. As such, the handbook contains some sections which are applicable primarily to United States Government space vehicle development and acquisition programs. Other sections are more general in nature, describing terminology, processes, and procedures which are generally accepted in the industry, and reflect sound mass properties engineering practices in the development and production of space vehicles. Its applicability may therefore be extended to commercial contracts and company internal space vehicle development programs as deemed appropriate. An industry standard, incorporating the intent of Reference 11,has been developed and maintained by the Society of Allied Weight Engineers (S.A.W.E.) as a recommended practice (Reference 4 of applicable documents). <br>This handbook is intended for use in acquisition and study contracts for selected space systems and space vehicles. This handbook may also be used as a reference document to specify mass properties control requirements for upper stage vehicles, injection stages, satellite payloads, reentry vehicles, launch vehicles, ballistic vehicles, or for other vehicles. For these applications the term "space vehicle" is to be interpreted as the applicable vehicle. <b><u>Intended Use:</u></b> This handbook is intended for use in acquisition contracts for selected space systems and space vehicles. The handbook should be used to determine the appropriate requirements to be cited in the contract statement of work and to specify the mass properties control requirements for the space vehicles as may be applicable to the acquisition. The mass properties control requirements specified are generally applicable to space vehicles, upper stage vehicles, injection stages, satellite payloads, reentry vehicles, launch vehicles, ballistic vehicles, or for other vehicles. For all applications the term "space vehicle" is to be interpreted as the applicable vehicle. <br>