Space Shuttle flight resultsSystem function aspects of the first Space Shuttle mission are assessed. Almost 90 mission anomalies have been identified by a mission evaluation team, which were variously attributed to instrumentation sensor failures, improper operation, or design deficiencies. The two most significant problems encountered were Solid Rocket Booster ignition wave overpressure, which exceeded maximum expected pressure by a factor of 2:1 over most of the Orbiter and 5:1 at a sensor location on the aft bulkhead, near the engines, and an inoperative tumble valve, which would normally have imparted to the Space Shuttle External Tank a tumbling motion, after Tank separation, that insures disintegration of the large structure during reentry. The first problem has been solved by strengthening six support struts, and the second by ensuring that the tumble valve is moisture-free.
Document ID
19820058689
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Mccarty, B. J. (NASA Johnson Space Center Space Shuttle Program Office, Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1982
Subject Category
Space Transportation
Meeting Information
Meeting: Annual Reliability and Maintainability Symposium