WSTF Propulsion and Pyrotechnics Corrective Action Test Program status - 2000

advanced pyrovalve technologies: investigation ofnondestructive evaluation techniques to inspect* Project Manager, NASA-WSTFl,aboratorics()fficct NASA Co-opStudent, NASA-WSTFLabormoricst)llicc._. Science and Technology Lead, NASA-_'%II I.ahoraloricsDepartmentproject Leads. NASA-WSTF,Laboratories l)cp_lrlmcntl_,rotechnic Engineer. NASA Langle3 Research CenterNASA Faculty'FellowCopyright ,_i_2000 bv the American Institulc of Aeronauticsand Astronautics, Inc No copyright is asserted m the UnitedStates under Title 17, USCode. The Governmcl_thas aroyalty-freelicense to exercise all rights under the copyrightclaimed herein for governmental purposes All other tights arereserved b_ the copyright owner.pyrovalves seals and make real-time measurement ofhousing deformation: and investigation ofpyrotechnically induced hydrazine explosions boththrough testing and modeling.Data from this collection of projects are nowbeing formatted into a pyrovalve applications andtesting handbook and consensus standard to benefitpyrovalve users and spacecraft designers. Thehandbook is briefly2described here and in more detailin a separate paper.To increase project benefit, pyrovalvemanufacturers are encouraged to provide additionalvalves for testing and consideration, and feedback isencouraged in all aspects of the pyrotechnic projects.INTRODUCTIONThe Mars Observer (MO) failure review boardidentified propulsion and pyrotechnic systems issuesas potentially contributing to the loss of the MOspacecraft. The board recommended review andgeneration of necessary test data, and publishingstandards, alerts, and design guidelines to enhanceNASA's spacecraft systems. In response, NASAHeadquarters established a Mars Observer Propulsionand Pyrotechnics Corrective Action Test Program(MOCATP) with representatives from NASAHeadquarters, White Sands Test Facility (WSTF),several NASA Centers, and industry. WSTF wasrequested to perform testing and help preparedocumentation necessary to support the correctiveaction effort.Because safety in future NASA programs is ofconcern, a rapid transfer of data from this program toother NASA and industry space programs is a majorconsideration. The evaluation of 3/8-in. Conaxvalves includes operational margin testing beingaccomplished at the NASA Langley Research Center(LaRC). To maximize program benefits, severalstatus briefings were provided to release findings andprovide opportunities for input from the propulsioncommunity. The program was initiated by aAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics