scope:

Abstract:

The Space Shuttle Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pod rotator (a 5-ton jack screw) was bent on three occasions because of overloading. As a result, Boeing designed a system consisting of two load-sensing pins: one pin for attaching the rotator to the OMS pod lifting fixture and the other for attaching the rotator to the facility attachment point. Each sensing pin is connected to a readout unit to indicate when the rotator is under load or when the rotator load changes between tension and compression. Two load-sensing pins are used for redundancy.