NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Collections About News Help Login
Back to Results
Lessons Learned from the Space Shuttle Engine Cutoff System (ECO) AnomaliesThe Space Shuttle Orbiter's main engine cutoff (ECO) system first failed ground checkout in April, 2005 during a first tanking test prior to Return-to-Flight. Despite significant troubleshooting and investigative efforts that followed, the root cause could not be found and intermittent anomalies continued to plague the Program. By implementing hardware upgrades, enhancing monitoring capability, and relaxing the launch rules, the Shuttle fleet was allowed to continue flying in spite of these unexplained failures. Root cause was finally determined following the launch attempts of STS-122 in December, 2007 when the anomalies repeated, which allowed drag-on instrumentation to pinpoint the fault (the ET feedthrough connector). The suspect hardware was removed and provided additional evidence towards root cause determination. Corrective action was implemented and the system has performed successfully since then. This white paper presents the lessons learned from the entire experience, beginning with the anomalies since Return-to-Flight through discovery and correction of the problem. To put these lessons in better perspective for the reader, an overview of the ECO system is presented first. Next, a chronological account of the failures and associated investigation activities is discussed. Root cause and corrective action are summarized, followed by the lessons learned.
Document ID
20110013220
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Martinez, Hugo E. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Welzyn, Ken (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
July 31, 2011
Subject Category
Space Transportation And Safety
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-24091
Meeting Information
Meeting: 47th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit
Location: San Diego, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: July 31, 2011
End Date: August 3, 2011
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Society for Engineering Education, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 377816.06.02.05.03.06.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

Related Records

There are no records associated with this record.
No Preview Available