scope:

Abstract:

The effects of soft goods (environmental seals, pressure seals, thermal barriers, etc.) were not fully considered during the design of several of the orbiter mechanical systems. During rerigging efforts at KSC, it was not possible to meet all the requirements in the drawings/specifications because much of the initial rigging was done without the installation of these soft goods. Loads induced by the soft goods prevented the mechanisms from operating within the required ranges. This was most evident during the rerigging of OV-103's landing gear after the Columbia accident. The design process should ensure that the loads of soft goods are understood and considered. Also, field rigging specifications should be developed to allow for rework of the system postdelivery.