Integration and test for small shuttle payloads

Recommended approaches for small space shuttle payload integration and test (I&T) are presented. The paper is intended for consideration by developers of small shuttle payloads, including I&T managers, project managers, and system engineers. Examples and lessons learned are presented based on the extensive history of NASA's Hitchhiker project. All aspects of I&T are presented, including: I&T team responsibilities, coordination, and communication; flight hardware handling practices; documentation and configuration management; I&T considerations for payload development; I&T at the development facility; prelaunch operations, transfer, orbiter integration and interface testing; and postflight operations. This paper is of special interest to those payload projects that have small budgets and few resources: that is, the truly "faster, cheaper, better" projects. All shuttle small payload developers are strongly encouraged to apply these guidelines during I&T planning and ground operations to take full advantage of today's limited resources and to help ensure mission success.