NASA Office of Logic Design

NASA Office of Logic Design

A scientific study of the problems of digital engineering for space flight systems,
with a view to their practical solution.

Skylab Lessons Learned


58. Lesson: New Electronic Components

Avoid the use of new electronic techniques and components in critical subsystems unless their use is absolutely mandatory.

Background:

New electronic components (resistors, diodes, transistors, switches, etc.) are developed each year.  Most push the state-of-the-art and contain new fabrication processes.  Designers of systems are eager to use them since they each have advantages over more conventional components.  However, being new, they are untried and generally have unknown characteristics and idiosynchracies.  Let some other program discover the problems.  Do not use components which have not been previously used in a similar application if it can be avoided, even at the expense of size and weight.


These lessons learned are from SKYLAB LESSONS LEARNED AS APPLICABLE TO A LARGE SPACE STATION, A dissertation submitted to the faculty of The School of Engineering and Architecture Of the Catholic University of America For the Degree Doctor of Engineering by William C. Schneider, Washington, D.C., 1976.


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Last Revised: March 07, 2004
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