Location
Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel
Start Date
30-4-1998 1:00 PM
End Date
30-4-1998 4:00 PM
Description
United Space Alliance (USA) is the prime contractor for the Space Flight Operations Contract at the Kennedy Space Center. The Automated Penbase Problem Reporting System processes mandatory inspections of the Orbiter’s Thermal Protection System (TPS). Each Space Shuttle Orbiter is covered with Reusable Surface Insulation (RSI). This includes 27,500 heat shielding tiles and 2,200 thermal blankets on the Shuttle’s outer surface. The RSI protects the aluminum structure and astronauts from the searing temperatures of reentry, which may exceed 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
At the completion of each Space Shuttle flight, we inspect the Shuttle’s RSI to identify any damage. Orbiter components must meet stringent return-to-flight criteria. This detailed inspection process generates three types of Work Authorization Documents (WAD). The first, Problem Reports (PR), identifies unique problems that require high level attention. The second, Discrepancy Reports (DR), documents recurring discrepancies with standard repair procedures. The third, Matrix Damage Reports (MDR), documents minor damage with pre-approved dispositions. Taken together, these documents comprise the thousands of Work Authorization Documents that initiate RSI repair. We accomplished our goals by automating the process and putting it on a 2.4 Ghz wireless network.
Paper Session III-A - Automated PRs on Wireless Networks
Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel
United Space Alliance (USA) is the prime contractor for the Space Flight Operations Contract at the Kennedy Space Center. The Automated Penbase Problem Reporting System processes mandatory inspections of the Orbiter’s Thermal Protection System (TPS). Each Space Shuttle Orbiter is covered with Reusable Surface Insulation (RSI). This includes 27,500 heat shielding tiles and 2,200 thermal blankets on the Shuttle’s outer surface. The RSI protects the aluminum structure and astronauts from the searing temperatures of reentry, which may exceed 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
At the completion of each Space Shuttle flight, we inspect the Shuttle’s RSI to identify any damage. Orbiter components must meet stringent return-to-flight criteria. This detailed inspection process generates three types of Work Authorization Documents (WAD). The first, Problem Reports (PR), identifies unique problems that require high level attention. The second, Discrepancy Reports (DR), documents recurring discrepancies with standard repair procedures. The third, Matrix Damage Reports (MDR), documents minor damage with pre-approved dispositions. Taken together, these documents comprise the thousands of Work Authorization Documents that initiate RSI repair. We accomplished our goals by automating the process and putting it on a 2.4 Ghz wireless network.
Comments
Spinoffs From Space
Session Chairman: Dr. Robert Norwood, Office of Chief Technologist, NASA Headquarters
Session Organizer: Chris Cook