scope:

Purpose

This standard establishes baseline requirements for the design, fabrication, test, inspection, operation and maintenance of the metallic pressurized hardware used in space systems such as spacecraft and launch vehicles. These requirements when implemented on a particular system, will assure a high level of confidence in achieving safe and reliable operation.

Application

This standard is applicable to space flight metallic pressurized hardware. Included are all pressure vessels, pressurized structures, batteries, heat pipes, cryostats, sealed containers, and pressure components such as lines, fittings, and hoses made of metals. A companion standard, AIAA-S- 081, is applicable to space flight composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPV).

The requirements specified in this standard may be tailored to specific programs with the agreement of the appropriate approval authority.