ISO 20892:2025
(Main)Space systems — Launch complexes modernization process — General requirements
Space systems — Launch complexes modernization process — General requirements
This document specifies procedures in the preparation and carrying out of the modernization process of launch complexes and their components. These procedures are devised in case there is a need to make changes in existing configuration of launch complexes. This document establishes the following: a) modernization stages; b) modernization performance requirements; c) functions of the main participants of the modernization process and their interactions. This document is applicable to organizations involved in the modernization of the launch complexes.
Systèmes spatiaux — Processus de modernisation des complexes de lancement spatial — Exigences générales
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Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 20892
Second edition
Space systems — Launch complexes
2025-05
modernization process — General
requirements
Systèmes spatiaux — Processus de modernisation des complexes
de lancement spatial — Exigences générales
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Abbreviated terms . 3
5 General . 3
5.1 General requirements .3
5.2 Modernization need .3
5.3 Functions of the main participants in the modernization process .3
5.4 Modernization performance requirements .5
6 Modernization process . 6
6.1 General process . .6
6.2 Modernization stages .6
Bibliography . 8
iii
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 20, Aircraft and space vehicles, Subcommittee
SC 14, Space systems and operations.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 20892:2018), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the Introduction has been clarified;
— the normative references have been updated in Clause 2 and cited in the core text;
— the Bibliography has been added.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
Technical innovations and developments in science and technology (new rockets, launchers and space
vehicles) necessitate the modernization of equipment for launch complexes. Thus, countries with launch
complex (LC) are upgrading launch support equipment (LSE) of these facilities.
However, due to obsolescence, the emergence of new technologies, new launch vehicles and requirements for
the assembly and installation of spacecrafts, there are challenges to adapt the existing system configuration
and upgrade, when it is necessary to:
a) change the performance characteristics of the LC by demand from the launch services customer;
b) modify the components of the LC and the introduction of new technologies to reduce costs (financial,
manpower, energy, time);
c) increase dependability and safety of the LC or other similar circumstances.
This document is directly aimed at increasing economic efficiency in terms of the modernization process
in creating new vehicles or changing the specification of a launch complex by a service customer, etc., or
whether or not there is a need to build a new launch complex.
This document is also aimed at providing safety and health requirements for LC personnel, since increased
demand for launch complex safety can be one reason to modernize the facility.
This document offers a unified approach to the management of the modernization process (preparation and
carrying out). Since there are no specific requirements and data, target dates for the carrying out of the
modernization process can be flexible.
v
International Standard ISO 20892:2025(en)
Space systems — Launch complexes modernization process
— General requirements
1 Scope
This document specifies procedures in the preparation and carrying out of the modernization process of
launch complexes and their components. These procedures are devised in case there is a need to make
changes in existing configuration of launch complexes.
This document establishes the following:
a) modernization stages;
b) modernization performance requirements;
c) functions of the main participants of the modernization process and their interactions.
This document is applicable to organizations involved in the modernization of the launch complexes.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 14620-2, Space systems — Safety requirements — Part 2: Launch site operations
ISO 16192, Space systems — Lessons learned — Principles and guidelines
ISO 17666, Space systems — Risk management
ISO 17689, Space systems — Interface control documents between ground systems, ground support equipment
and launch vehicle with payload
ISO/TS 18667, Space systems — Capability-based Safety, Dependability, and Quality Assurance (SD&QA)
programme management
3 Terms and definitions
For the purpose of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
3.1
launch complex modernization
LC modernization
set of works undertaken to improve and upgrade the performance characteristics and LC quality indicators
by changing the design of the LC components
Note 1 to entry: Also includes replacement of individual items to newly created ones, as well as changes and additions
to the existing design.
Note 2 to entry: Modernization also refers to upgrade in this document.
3.2
launch services customer
organization that made a contract with the operator (3.9) to perform launch services (3.3)
3.3
launch services
set of actions for the launch or attempted launch of a launch vehicle and payload, if any, to a sub-orbital
trajectory of the Earth's orbit in outer space or in any other direction in space
3.4
manufacturer of modernized product item
organization that performs work on pre-production and production of the upgraded product item by
working design documentation
3.5
customer
person or organization that could or does receive a product or a service that is intended for or required by
this person or organization
Note 1 to entry: A customer can be internal or external to the organization.
Note 2 to entry: In this document, it is an organization which owns or manages an LC and makes a contract with the
main executor for launch complex modernization (3.1) or its components.
[SOURCE: ISO 10795:2019, 3.78, modified — EXAMPLE has been removed; note 2 to entry has been added.]
3.6
LC contractor
launch complex contractor
organization that makes a contract with a customer (3.5) of the complex, coordinates the
work of subcontractors (3.8) and is responsible for the implementation of launch complex modernization (3.1)
3.7
stage
set of works characterized by planning and funding to obtain specific outcomes for the
development, testing and conformity assessment of product performance to meet the requirements and get
customer (3.5) acceptance
3.8
subcontractor
organization that makes a contract with the LC contractor (3.6) and their subordinate
contractor in the customer-supplier chain to perform part of the launch complex modernization (3.1) and is
responsible for its implementation
3.9
operator
governmental or non-governmental entities, international organization, or natural person carrying out a
space operation independently and under its responsibility
[SOURCE: ISO 14620-2:2019, 3.15]
3.10
technical requirements
document that establishes a set of requirements for the upgrade of the whole complex or a
part thereof, as well as requirements for the content, scope and terms of modernization performance
4 Abbreviated terms
LC Launch complex
TR Technical requirements
TR C Technical requirements for the component
5 General
5.1 General requirements
The following requirements shall apply:
— safety requirements related to Launch site operations as defined in ISO 14620-2;
— requirements on lessons learned in accordance with the principles and guidelines as defined in ISO 16192;
— requirements on risk management as defined in ISO 17666;
— requirements related to Interface control documents between ground systems, ground support
equipment and launch vehicle with payload as defined in ISO 17689;
— requirements of the management of capability-based safety, dependability and quality assurance
programme as defined in ISO/TS 18667.
ISO/TR 17400 provides general testing guidelines related to integration sites and other facilities.
5.2 Modernization need
5.2.1 The modernization scope can be different depending on the volume of the new requirements.
There are several basic options for modernization (upgrading), which includes:
a) modernization of the whole LC;
b) modernization of the components of the LC;
c) modernization of the elements and items of the components of the LC.
5.2.2 Generally, the upgrading process compr
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