Lessons Learned from a Structural Assessment of the International Space Station European-Manufactured Modules

After a NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Assessment of the use of International Space Station (ISS) European-manufactured modules that did not receive post-proof weld non-destructive evaluation (NDE), significant lessons were learned relating to the use of Leak Before Burst (LBB) criteria versus safe-life criteria as a design tool for complex fracture critical welded structures.