The document recommends engineering practices for European programs and projects. It may be cited in contracts and program documents as a reference for guidance to meet specific program/project needs and constraints.

The target users of this handbook are engineers involved in design, analysis and verification of launchers and spacecraft in relation to structural stability issues. The current know-how is documented in this handbook in order to make this expertise available to all European developers of space systems.

It is a guidelines document; therefore it includes advisory information rather than requirements.