Ground verification of flight elements has always proven to be an important prerequisite to launch. The Checkout Systems IPT was formed to develop and operate the primary checkout systems for supporting pre-launch testing of Space Station and Shuttle payloads at the launch site.
Checkout Systems IPT Organization Chart
| TCMS: | The Test, Control, and Monitor System (TCMS) supports ISS re-supply and return activities at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF), Pads A & B at Launch Complex 39, the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), the Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) landing facility and the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF). TCMS also supports ISS experiment interface testing to verify the compatibility between experiments and Space Station services. |
| PTCS: | The Payload Test and Checkout System (PTCS) is used for ISS experiment interface testing to verify the compatibility between experiments and Space Station services. Final functional checkout of payload to ISS interfaces through the use of Flight Equivalent Units (FEUs) which use the latest version of Flight Quality Tested (FQT) software |
| PRCU: | The Payload Rack Checkout Unit (PRCU) is used for distributed verification of payload interfaces to the ISS Interface Control Documents (ICDs) |
| CITE: | The Cargo Integrated Test Equipment (CITE) is used for Shuttle Payload interface testing to verify the compatibility between shuttle payloads and the Space Shuttle Orbiter. |
A service of NASA Kennedy Space Center, International Space Station/Payloads Processing Directorate, John J. (Tip) Talone Jr., Director