Spacelab - From early integration to first flight. II

The ground processing of the engineering model for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Spacelab scientific mission is described. Consideration is given to the extensive testing performed on Spacelab prior to its initial flight at the end of November 1983. A number of problems associated with the testing process are described, with emphasis on the cooperative effort of both the ESA and NASA in developing test requirements, and planning the integration of the test program. The prospects for similar success in administering the next Spacelab mission are also discussed.