Accuracy Analysis of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor Profile Measuring Device

摘要

The Profile Measuring Device (PMD) was developed at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center following the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger. It is a rotating gauge used to measure the absolute diameters of mating features of redesigned Solid Rocket Motor field joints. Diameter tolerances of these features are typically plus or minus 0.005 inches and it is required that the PMD absolute measurement uncertainty be within this tolerance. In this analysis we find the absolute accuracy of these measurements to be plus or minus 0.00375 inches, worst case, with a potential accuracy of plus or minus 0.0021 inches achievable by improved temperature control.