Category Scope

18 Spacecraft Design, Testing and Performance

Includes satellites; space platforms; space stations; spacecraft systems and components such as thermal and environmental controls; and spacecraft control and stability characteristics. For life support systems see 54 Man/System Technology and Life Support. For related information see also 05 Aircraft Design, Testing and Performance; 39 Structural Mechanics; and 16 Space Transportation and Safety.

Definition

Spacecraft Design – The act of conceiving and planning the structure, systems, and performance characteristics of any type of spacecraft including space probes, satellites, space platforms and space stations. NASA Thesaurus, Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Spacecraft Testing – Tests, by whatever means, of a spacecraft or any equipment, system, or component used in, or on, a spacecraft to determine its suitability for, and reliability in, space flight. NASA Thesaurus, Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Spacecraft Performance – The manner or effectiveness in which any space vehicle, space platform, or space station functions while in operation in space, or in a simulated space environment. NASA Thesaurus, Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

NASA Interest

Exhaustive Interest : Research, development, testing, evaluation, or performance of any complete spacecraft, system, or component; operating problems that affect or are affected by design, development, testing, evaluation, or performance.

Input Subjects of Specific Interest