scope:

Description of Driving Event:

During the STS-90 flight, there was a repeated need to access the specimens contained within the Animal Enclosure Modules. The operation to gain access required the mating of equipment and covers that had seals (and sealing surfaces) designed to contain contaminants and particulates. The attachment mechanism to hold these mating surfaces together were simple quarter turn fasteners designed to simplify attachment. In flight, it was discovered that the crew had a difficult time pressing the mating components together (to compress the seals) and engaging the fasteners at the same time.