More Details for 1972-02-15
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Results from the May 1971 OWS-1 meteoroid shield deployment test.
Evaluation of events and redesign resulting from the May 1971 OWS-1 meteoroid shield deployment test indicated that a successful 'mechanical separation and deployment' must be demonstrated prior to shipment of the flight article to KSC.
This retest would verify flight readiness of redesigned shield mechanisms and would be considered a vital part of the OWS 1 acceptance test. A pin-release panel would be used for this purpose after appropriate 'walk- through' procedures were exercised and prior to the planned 'ordnance deployment.' All three of these activities were to be performed at McDonnell Douglas prior to shipment of the flight article from Huntington Beach, and after arrival at KSC. 'Walk-through' was defined as a simple verification that no mechanical binding of any linkage would occur upon installation of the meteoroid shield. 'Mechanical separation and deployment' was defined as a hands-off automatic deployment, with the shield rigged to less than flight loads, and a test that could be performed repeatedly without panel replacement. 'Ordnance deployment' would represent the ultimate deployment verification. A separate ordnance panel with primary and backup expandable tubes would be required, and the deployment would be fully automatic and remotely controlled.