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Fracture Control Requirements for Payloads Using the Space Shuttle

1.1 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 of 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.
1.2 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).
a. The requirements set forth in this document are the minimum fracture control
requirements for all Space Shuttle payloads. Any deviations from these requirements 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 specifications to meet specific
program/project needs and constraints.