Purpose. The purpose of this document is to establish the fracture control requirements for all payload hardware to be launched or retrieved using the Space Shuttle. Meeting these requirements implements the minimum fracture control requirements National Space Transportation System (NSTS) 1700.7, Safety Policy and Requirements for Payloads Using the Space Transportation System. All payload fracture control shall be in accordance with the requirements stated herein.

General requirements. For payloads using the Space Shuttle, NASA requires full assurance of system safety. This is accomplished through good design, manufacturing, test, and operational practices, including the judicious choice of materials, detailed analysis, appropriate factors of safety, rigorous testing, control of hardware, and adequate inspection. For payloads carried on the Space Shuttle, it is specifically required that design shall be based on fracture control procedures when failure of structure can result in a catastrophic event. Because fracture control is a safety-critical issue, all deviations from the requirements in this document must be approved by the responsible program authority (i.e., the program director/project manager) and concurred with by the designated safety and fracture control authorities at the NASA Center or sponsoring institution (see 3, Definitions).

Applicability.

a. The requirements set forth in this document are the minimumfr acture control requirements for all Space Shuttle payloads. Any deviations from theser equirements for Space Shuttle payloads shall be approved by the Space Shuttle Program.

b. For applications other than payloads using the Space Shuttle, this standard may be tailored to meet specific application requirements, and it may be cited in contracts and program documents as a technical requirement or as a reference for guidance. Determining the suitability of this standard and its provisions is the responsibility of program/project management and the performing organization. Individual provisions of this standard may be tailored (i.e., modified or deleted) by contract or program specificationsto meet specific program/project needs and constraints.

c. This document contains the requirements for metallic and nonmetallic structural components. Components that are exempt from fracture control are those that are clearly nonstructural and not susceptible to failure as a result of crack propagation (e.g., insulation blankets, electrical wire bundles, and elastomeric seals). Some small mechanical parts such as bearings and valve seats have traditionally been developed and qualified through strong test programs and rigorous process control which demonstrate their reliability. In the presence of these strong development programs, these type parts may be exempt from fracture control with the approval of the responsible fracture control authority.

d. Individual NASA Centers or other payload-sponsoring organizations may establish more restrictive, project-specific requirements and/or guidelines as appropriate. These additional requirements/guidelines shall be approved by the responsible program authority.

Other requirements. Nothing in this document shall be construed as requiring the duplication of effort dictated by other contract provisions. Conversely, provisions stated herein shall not be interpreted to preclude compliance with requirements invoked by other provisions.

Preroaatives of the Government. All plans, data, and documentation generated under contract to NASA or its suppliers in fulfillment of these requirements are subject to examination, evaluation, and inspection by the procuring installation or its designated representatives