Overview
ISO 14623:2003 - "Space systems - Pressure vessels and pressurized structures - Design and operation" defines design, operation, and verification requirements for metallic pressure vessels, composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) with metallic liners, and metallic pressurized structures used in space systems. Based on established space engineering practice, the standard emphasizes safety, reliability and hazard control for high‑energy pressurized hardware. It explicitly excludes pressure components (lines, fittings, valves, hoses) and special pressurized hardware (batteries, heat pipes, cryostats, sealed containers).
Keywords: ISO 14623, pressure vessels, pressurized structures, space systems, COPV, metallic liners, design and operation.
Key Topics
ISO 14623 covers both general and detailed technical requirements, including:
- System analysis & design philosophy
- Definition of critical conditions, limit loads and loading spectra.
- Design safety and burst factors (design burst pressure, MEOP, MDP).
- Materials and fracture control
- Material selection, fracture mechanics, fracture toughness, brittle vs ductile fracture.
- Concepts such as A‑basis/B‑basis allowables and hydrogen embrittlement control.
- Composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) specifics
- Liner behavior (elastically vs plastically responding metallic liners), autofrettage, overwrap design, impact/abrasion damage and leak‑before‑burst (LBB) considerations.
- Fabrication, process control & quality assurance
- Manufacturing controls, acceptance and development tests, inspection and verification methods.
- Operation, maintenance & lifecycle
- Operating limits (MEOP = maximum expected operating pressure), service life extension, reactivation and maintenance requirements.
- Testing & evaluation
- Burst testing, fatigue life assessment, damage tolerance and post‑impact/before‑repair criteria.
(Where applicable, the standard references numerical thresholds used in projects; when not specified, project authorities define energy/pressure cutoffs. ISO text notes example thresholds: stored energy ≥ 19 310 J or MEOP ≥ 0.69 MPa as typical project values.)
Applications
ISO 14623 is applied to the design and certification of pressurized hardware in space contexts, for example:
- Satellite propellant tanks and launch‑vehicle main propellant tanks.
- Manned modules, crew cabins and other pressurized spacecraft structures.
- Design verification for COPVs used in propulsion or pressurization systems.
- Test plans, acceptance criteria, QA programs and maintenance procedures for flight hardware.
Who uses this standard
- Spacecraft and launch vehicle systems engineers
- Pressure vessel and composite material designers
- Test engineers, quality assurance and inspection teams
- Procurement authorities, safety assessors and certification bodies
- Manufacturers of space‑grade tanks and COPVs
Related Standards
ISO 14623 was prepared by ISO/TC 20/SC 14 (Space systems and operations). Users should consult other aerospace and pressure‑component standards for complementary requirements (e.g., standards that govern lines, fittings, valves or specialized pressurized hardware) when those items are in scope.