Current Design Criteria for MMOD Impact of Metallic Pressurized Tanks
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 5
Abstract
Most spacecraft have at least one pressurized vessel on board. For robotic spacecraft, it is usually a liquid propellant tank or battery. For human spacecraft, there are also pressurized living quarters and life-support systems. One of the design considerations of such spacecraft is the possible damage that might occur in the event of an on-orbit impact by a micrometeoroid or orbital debris (MMOD) particle. While considerable energy and effort has been expended in the study of the response of nonpressurized spacecraft components to these kinds of impacts, relatively few studies have been conducted on the pressurized elements of such spacecraft. In addition, the design criteria currently used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for pressurized tanks operating in the MMOD environment have not been tested or scrutinized since they were first proposed nearly 45 years ago. This paper reviews current NASA design criteria for pressurized vessels and offers suggestions for next steps in their further development.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to extend their gratitude to the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the NASA/Engineering Safety Center for providing the support that made this study possible.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 29 • Issue 5 • September 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 11, 2015
Accepted: Mar 10, 2016
Published online: May 20, 2016
Published in print: Sep 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Oct 20, 2016
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