Overview
ISO 16091:2018 - Space systems - Integrated logistic support (ILS) defines the management requirements for planning, providing and controlling logistic support so a space product can be operated and maintained in its operational environment for its expected lifetime. The standard addresses ILS at the programme/project level and is intended to be tailored to the specific profile and circumstances of a project. Key aims include controlling operational risks, optimizing life cycle cost, and ensuring timely delivery of materials, software, services and information.
Key topics and technical requirements
- ILS management requirements: Establish objectives, roles and control mechanisms to integrate logistic activities into the overall project.
- Control of logistic activities: Risk control, concurrent development, validation, customer participation, integration/synchronization, work breakdown structure and appropriate phasing.
- Logistic support analyses (LSA): Identification and validation of support requirements, assessment of resources, technology impact, evaluation of alternatives, and test/validation of support concepts.
- Support elements: Definition and development of operation and maintenance tasks, provisioning plans, support equipment acquisition, support facilities, packaging/handling/storage/transportation, software support and technical assistance.
- Information and data management: Integration of ILS into documentation management, logistic support data items and maturity, data flow and control, validated data, and ILS performance reporting.
- Life cycle considerations: Emphasis on life cycle cost (LCC) optimisation and RMAT metrics (reliability, maintainability, availability, testability) as measures of ILS impact.
- Tailoring: Requirements are applied at management level and may be selected, modified or supplemented to suit a project’s specific needs.
Practical applications and users
ISO 16091:2018 is used to plan and implement comprehensive logistic support for space systems, including satellites, launch systems, ground segments and payloads. Typical applications:
- Creating ILS plans and provisioning strategies for new missions
- Developing maintenance, spares and support-equipment programs
- Specifying software support, documentation and training packages
- Performing logistic support analyses and risk mitigation studies
- Defining information systems for logistics data, reporting and configuration control
Primary users:
- Space programme managers and systems engineers
- Logistics, maintenance and support managers
- Procurement and supplier teams
- Satellite operators, mission integrators and prime contractors
- Government and defense acquisition authorities
Related standards and context
ISO 16091:2018 was prepared by ISO/TC 20 (Aircraft and space vehicles) and updates the 2002 edition. It complements other ISO and international standards on systems engineering, configuration management and quality assurance; organisations typically apply ISO 16091 alongside systems engineering and procurement standards to ensure integrated logistic support across the product life cycle.
Keywords: ISO 16091:2018, Integrated Logistic Support, ILS, space systems, life cycle cost, RMAT, logistic support analysis, provisioning, logistics data management, support elements, tailoring.