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Bolger, P. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Bolger, P. H..

11 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Safety of spacecraft lightweight pressure vessels

With the advent of the age of flight and specifically space flight, a major effort was devoted to the development of lightweight metallic flight hardware. The paper deals with metallic pressure vessels designed to hold liquids or gases under pressure and with the methods for assuring safety through elimination of failures. The consequences of discontinuity stress failures range from leakage, bursting, and detrimental deformation to catastrophic failure, or literally, an explosion of the vessel. Controls, system design, protective devices and tests are discussed.

Bolger, P. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Safety considerations involved in testing, checkout and launch operations at Cape Kennedy

This paper concerns itself with identifying safety problems associated with launch operations conducted during preparations for manned space flights at Cape Kennedy. This includes transportation and assembly of large space vehicles in the Vehicle Assembly Building, rollout to Launch Pad 39, test, checkout, and the launch countdown. Under these broad categories, the risks of fuel and oxidizer loading, installation of pyrotechnics, and similar hazardous operations are discussed. The many aspects for fire and rescue requirements are examined. These encompass the water deluge systems on the Mobile Service Structure and the Mobile Launcher, the insulated fire and rescue tractor, slide wire escape system, fire proximity suits, self-contained breathing apparatus and emergency cutting tools. In addition, written procedures for tests, emergencies, rescue and backout, as well as certification of personnel and TV monitoring of the launch system are detailed.-

Bolger, P. H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Survey of space flight safety systems.

Preventive and remedial conceptual approaches may be employed to enhance the safety of space flight operations. The preventive approach makes use of components of high reliability and the incorporation of redundancy in crew safety-related functions. According to the second conceptual approach the means are to be provided to cope with accidents when they arise. The remedial means include onboard systems, pre-positioned aids, and earth-launched systems. Reports or papers dealing with rescue and survival systems of various types are considered, and a summary of the results of space escape, rescue, and survivability investigations is presented.

Fleisig, R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Long range planning for the development of space flight emergency systems.

The importance of long-range planning for space flight emergency systems is pointed out. Factors in emergency systems planning are considered, giving attention to some of the mission classes which have to be taken into account. Examples of the hazards in space flight include fire, decompression, mechanical structure failures, radiation, collision, and meteoroid penetration. The criteria for rescue vehicles are examined together with aspects regarding the conduction of rescue missions. Future space flight programs are discussed, taking into consideration low earth orbit space stations, geosynchronous orbit space stations, lunar operations, manned planetary missions, future space flight vehicles, the space shuttle, special purpose space vehicles, and a reusable nuclear shuttle.

Bolger, P. H.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Survey of space escape/rescue/survivability capabilities.

Discussion of preventive or remedial systems to achieve safer space flight operations. Escape, rescue, and survival systems are defined by categories: on board, prepositioned aid, and earth-launched concepts. The survey considers separable escape or survival capsules; standby escape or rescue systems; and earth-launched manned and unmanned rescue systems. Reports covering such systems are listed, and the contents are classified as to scope of investigation, space mission, and design approach. Mission classes considered are earth orbit, lunar, and interplanetary. Results of the space escape, rescue, and survivability investigations are summarized in terms of system features and performance, including apparent voids or limitations in rescue capability. Recovery requirements and resources for space rescue are discussed.

Fleisig, R.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Evolution of escape systems for manned space flight.

Detailed outline of the research, development, and actual operational usage of emergency systems starting with the X-15 program and continuing through the early Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs into future space station and planetary missions. The changing nature of the risk that confronts space flight system designers as program objectives are expanded is discussed. It is shown how risk complexity increased as space programs moved from a ballistic or low earth orbit mission on to lunar and ultimately planetary research efforts. Performance criteria for those emergency systems that have been designed are included. Aspects of feasibility are considered.

Bolger, P. H.↗