Spreading the Word on Safety

About this technology

Overview

The NASA White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) stores, tests, and disposes of Space Shuttle and International Space Station propellants. Since aerospace fluids can have harmful reactions with the construction materials of the systems containing them, WSTF has created technical manuals and training courses for the safe use of these fluids. The facility partners with standards organizations such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to document results in safety manuals, develop and deliver safety courses, and perform hazards/failure analyses. Through these partnerships, private industry can purchase the safety manuals and training courses. One of the main WSTF courses that ASTM markets is Fire Hazards in Oxygen Systems which is intended for anyone who operates, maintains, or manufactures any type of oxygen system. A WSTF hydrogen safety course is marketed through Wendell Hull & Associates, Inc. While WSTF's courses and manuals benefit the development of technologies in the aerospace community, they also apply to other fields that use aerospace fluids. The hydrogen manual and course can be applied to the development of fuel cells and hydrogen-powered vehicles. The oxygen training material benefits advances in medicine, gas production, chemical processing, and home health care.