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The Certification of Environmental Chambers for Testing Flight HardwareThe JPL chamber certification process for ensuring that test chambers used to test flight hardware meet a minimum standard is critical to the safety of the hardware and personnel. Past history has demonstrated that this process is important due to the catastrophic incidents that could occur if the chamber is not set up correctly. Environmental testing is one of the last phases in the development of a subsystem, and it typically occurs just before integration of flight hardware into the fully assembled flight system. A seemingly insignificant -miscalculation or missed step can necessitate rebuilding or replacing a subsystem due to over-testing or damage from the test chamber. Conversely, under-testing might fail to detect weaknesses that might cause failure when the hardware is in service. This paper describes the process that identifies the many variables that comprise the testing scenario and screening of as built chambers, the training of qualified operators, and a general "what-to-look-for" in minimum standards.
Document ID
20150008552
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Fields, Keith
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
May 20, 2015
Publication Date
October 18, 2010
Subject Category
Ground Support Systems And Facilities (Space)
Meeting Information
Meeting: Space Simulation Conference. Environmental Testing: The Path Forward
Location: Annapolis, MD
Country: United States
Start Date: October 18, 2010
End Date: October 21, 2010
Sponsors: Corporation for Studies and Analysis, Johns Hopkins Univ., American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Society for Testing and Materials, NASA Headquarters, Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Vacuum Chamber
Contamination
Failsafe
Thermal Cycles
Temperature
Thermal

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