Overview
ISO 15860:2006 - "Space systems - Gas contamination - Measurement methods for field tests" defines field test methods for assessing contamination in compressed gases used in space vehicle launch sites and technical complexes. The standard applies to air, nitrogen, helium and argon compressed up to 40 MPa, and specifies measurement techniques for impurities including mechanical (particulate) contaminants, water vapour, oil (vapour and aerosol) and foreign gases. It is intended for practical, on-site monitoring where laboratory methods are not feasible; recommended instruments are portable, compact and cost-effective.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and gases covered: compressed air, N2, He, Ar up to 40 MPa for launch systems and support facilities.
- Controlled impurities: mechanical particles (aerosols), water vapour (moisture), oil contamination (vapours/aerosols), and foreign gases.
- Sampling protocol: sampling from pumping manifolds, storage cylinders and distribution pipelines - before filling, after filling (post-relaxation/homogenization), and typically every 24 h for continuous operations. Samples must be taken from each set of cylinders and upstream of operations (not earlier than 24 h before vehicle erection).
- Measurement methods:
- Particle concentration and size: aerosol/light-scattering meters, optical microscopy with analytic filters, and gravimetric (weighing) methods.
- Water vapour: hygrometers (coulometric, dew-point, absorption-frequency) with conversion tables/diagrams for dew point ↔ moisture content. Expendable detector tubes available for high-moisture conditions and maintenance checks.
- Oil: linear-colorimetric detector tubes and nomographs for oil concentration.
- Safety requirements: only trained personnel may perform tests; oxygen monitoring and alarms are mandatory in sampling rooms (automatic acoustic and visual alarms at