Design and testing of the Space Station Freedom Propellant Tank AssemblyPropellant storage and management functions for the Propulsion Module of the U.S. Space Station Freedom are provided by the Propellant Tank Assembly (PTA). The PTA consists of a surface-tension type propellant acquisition device contained within a welded titanium pressure vessel. The PTA design concept was selected with high reliability and low program risk as primary goals in order to meet stringent NASA structural, expulsion, fracture control and reliability requirements. The PTA design makes use of Shuttle Orbital Maneuvering System and Peacekeeper Propellant Storage Assembly design and analysis techniques. This paper summarizes the PTA design solution and discusses the underlying detailed analyses. In addition, design verification and qualification test activities are discussed.
Document ID
19920066456
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Dudley, D. D. (McDonnell Douglas Missile Systems Co. Saint Louis, MO, United States)
Thonet, T. A. (McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. Huntington Beach, CA, United States)
Goforth, A. M. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)