Reliability Centered Maintenance - Methodologies

Journal article about Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) methodologies used by United Space Alliance, LLC (USA) in support of the Space Shuttle Program at Kennedy Space Center. The USA Reliability Centered Maintenance program differs from traditional RCM programs because various methodologies are utilized to take advantage of their respective strengths for each application. Based on operational experience, USA has customized the traditional RCM methodology into a streamlined lean logic path and has implemented the use of statistical tools to drive the process. USA RCM has integrated many of the L6S tools into both RCM methodologies. The tools utilized in the Measure, Analyze, and Improve phases of a Lean Six Sigma project lend themselves to application in the RCM process. All USA RCM methodologies meet the requirements defined in SAE JA 1011, Evaluation Criteria for Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) Processes. The proposed article explores these methodologies

Corrosion Preventive Compounds Lifetime Testing

Lifetime Testing of Corrosion Preventive Compounds (CPCs) was performed to quantify performance in the various environments to which the Space Shuttle Orbiter is exposed during a flight cycle. Three CPCs are approved for use on the Orbiter: HD Calcium Grease, Dinitrol AV-30, and Braycote 601 EF. These CPCs have been rigorously tested to prove that they mitigate corrosion in typical environments, but little information is available on how they perform in the unique combination of the coastal environment at the launch pad, the vacuum of low-earth orbit, and the extreme heat of reentry. Currently, there is no lifetime or reapplication schedule established for these compounds that is based on this combination of environmental conditions. Aluminum 2024 coupons were coated with the three CPCs and exposed to conditions that simulate the environments to which the Orbiter is exposed. Uncoated Aluminum 2024 coupons were exposed to the environmental conditions as a control. Visual inspection and Electro- Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) were performed on the samples in order to determine the effectiveness of the CPCs. The samples were processed through five mission life cycles or until the visual inspection revealed the initiation of corrosion and EIS indicated severe degradation of the coating

Corrosion Preventive Compounds Lifetime Testing

Lifetime Testing of Corrosion Preventive Compounds (CPCs) was performed to quantify performance in the various environments to which the Space Shuttle Orbiter is exposed during a flight cycle. Three CPCs are approved for use on the Orbiter: RD Calcium Grease, Dinitrol AV-30, and Braycote 601 EF. These CPCs have been rigorously tested to prove that they mitigate corrosion in typical environments, but little information is available on how they perform in the unique combination of the coastal environment at the launch pad, the vacuum of low-earth orbit, and the extreme heat of reentry. Currently, there is no lifetime or reapplication schedule established for these compounds that is based on this combination of environmental conditions. Aluminum 2024 coupons were coated with the three CPCs and exposed to conditions that simulate the environments to which the Orbiter is exposed. Uncoated Aluminum 2024 coupons were exposed to the environmental conditions as a control. Visual inspection and Electro- Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) were performed on the samples in order to determine the effectiveness of the CPCs. The samples were processed through five mission life cycles or until the visual inspection revealed the initiation of corrosion and EIS indicated severe degradation of the coating

Experimental Design for the Evaluation of Detection Techniques of Hidden Corrosion Beneath the Thermal Protective System of the Space Shuttle Orbiter

The United States Space Operational Space Shuttle Fleet Consists of three shuttles with an average age of 19.7 years. Shuttles are exposed to corrosive conditions while undergoing final closeout for missions at the launch pad and extreme conditions during ascent, orbit, and descent that may accelerate the corrosion process. Structural corrosion under TPS could progress undetected (without tile removal) and eventually result in reduction in structural capability sufficient to create negative margins of . safety and ultimate loss of local structural capability

Application of Terahertz Radiation to the Detection of Corrosion under the Shuttle's Thermal Protection System

There is currently no method for detecting corrosion under Shuttle tiles except for the expensive process of tile removal and replacement; hence NASA is investigating new NDE methods for detecting hidden corrosion. Time domain terahertz radiation has been applied to corrosion detection under tiles in samples ranging from small lab samples to a Shuttle with positive results. Terahertz imaging methods have been able to detect corrosion at thicknesses of 5 mils or greater under 1" thick Shuttle tiles and 7-12 mils or greater under 2" thick Shuttle tiles

The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies

The James Webb Space Telescope Mission

Twenty-six years ago a small committee report, building on earlier studies, expounded a compelling and poetic vision for the future of astronomy, calling for an infrared-optimized space telescope with an aperture of at least $4m$. With the support of their governments in the US, Europe, and Canada, 20,000 people realized that vision as the $6.5m$ James Webb Space Telescope. A generation of astronomers will celebrate their accomplishments for the life of the mission, potentially as long as 20 years, and beyond. This report and the scientific discoveries that follow are extended thank-you notes to the 20,000 team members. The telescope is working perfectly, with much better image quality than expected. In this and accompanying papers, we give a brief history, describe the observatory, outline its objectives and current observing program, and discuss the inventions and people who made it possible. We cite detailed reports on the design and the measured performance on orbit.Comment: Accepted by PASP for the special issue on The James Webb Space Telescope Overview, 29 pages, 4 figure

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Optimization Of Re-Torque And Relaxation Parameters Of The Gucp

Self-loosening of bolts in non-permanent connections has been the subject of a myriad of investigations; however, because the vast majority of these studies focused on applications with long-term service conditions involving creep and/or cyclic (working or vibratory) loading, there are no analytical techniques that have been developed to address the load decay behavior of bolted assemblies with gaskets under a primary followed up by a secondary torque. The Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) includes a gasketed ASME-type flange assembly that transfers pressurized, cryogenic hydrogen from the Space Transportation System (STS). Although the threaded stud material is nominally elastic under service conditions, the gasket material, a polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) matrix filled with 25% chopped glass fibers, undergoes viscous, strain hardening deformation. The consequence of over-torquing the assembly is yielding the stud. Alternatively, the consequence of under-torquing is premature loosening and subsequent fuel leakage. As such, identifying the interactions between assembly configuration, initial torque, etc. to relaxation behavior of the assembly has been identified as a means to reduce the dwell period (the time between initial torque and re-torque). Research is carried out to identify the optimal torque parameters that confer a minimal dwell period. This article documents the Gasket Relaxation and Re-Torque Optimization (GRRO) program used to modify procedures employed when connecting the flanges to the fuel tank of the Space Transportation System prior to a launch. Copyright © 2011 by ASME

Microstructural Development and Ternary Interdiffusion in Ni-Mn-Ga Alloys

NiMnGa alloys functioning as either ferromagnetic shape memory alloys or magnetocaloric materials have both practical applications and fundamental research value. In this study, solid-to-solid diffusion couple experiments were carried out to investigate the phase equilibria, microstructural development, and interdiffusion behavior in Ni-Mn-Ga ternary alloys. Selected diffusion couples between pure Ni, Ni25Mn75 and four ternary off-stoichiometric NiMnGa alloys (i.e., Ni52Mn18Ga30, Ni46Mn30Ga24, Ni52Mn30Ga18, Ni58Mn18Ga24) were assembled and annealed at 1073 K, 1123 K, and 1173 K (800 °C, 850 °C, and 900 °C) for 480, 240, and 120 hours, respectively. At these high temperatures, the β NiMnGa phase has a B2 crystal structure. The microstructure of the interdiffusion zone was examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Concentration profiles across the interdiffusion zone were determined by electron probe micro analysis. Solubility values obtained for various phases were mostly consistent with the existing isothermal phase diagrams, but the phase boundary of the γ(Mn) + β two-phase region was slightly modified. In addition, equilibrium compositions for the γ(Ni) and α′ phases at 1173 K (900 °C) were also determined for the respective two-phase region. Both austenitic and martensitic phases were found at room temperature in each diffusion couple with a clear boundary. The compositions at the interfaces corresponded close to valence electron concentration (e/a) of 7.6, but trended to lower values when Mn increased to more than 35 at. pct. Average effective interdiffusion coefficients for the β phase over different compositional ranges were determined and reported in the light of temperature-dependence. Ternary interdiffusion coefficients were also determined and examined to assess the ternary diffusional interactions among Ni, Mn, and Ga. Ni was observed to interdiffuse the fastest, followed by Mn then Ga. Interdiffusion flux of Ni also has strong influences on the interdiffusion of Mn and Ga with large and negative cross interdiffusion coefficients, $$\tilde{D}_{MnNi}^{Ga}$$D~MnNiGa and $$\tilde{D}_{GaNi}^{Mn}$$D~GaNiMn. The $$\tilde{D}_{NiNi}^{Ga}$$D~NiNiGa and $$\tilde{D}_{MnMn}^{Ga}$$D~MnMnGa ternary interdiffusion coefficients exhibited minimum values near 52 at. pct Ni concentration