Documentation

Abstract

The complexity of a space program means that the documentation is also vast and complex. A large part of the documentation is not only for internal use but has to be distributed to other partners in the space program. Therefore the agencies have defined a structure and a numeration system for official documents. The document number indicates first of all the program (e.g. A5 for Ariane 5) and the type of document (e.g. SM specification de management). This definition is laid down in a technical flow chart; it has management character and therefore has the number A5-SM-1000000-P-20. The management of documents is meanwhile computerised, the applied software working not necessarily with the official numeration but with an extra number or with the internal number of the company.