ISO 14623-2003 PDF

Full title and description

Space systems — Pressure vessels and pressurized structures — Design and operation. ISO 14623:2003 provides design and operational requirements for metallic pressure vessels, composite overwrapped pressure vessels with metallic liners, and metallic pressurized structures intended for use in space systems, with exclusions for pressure components and certain specialised pressurised hardware.

Abstract

ISO 14623:2003, based on general space experience and practice, specifies general and detailed requirements for metallic pressure vessels, composite overwrapped pressure vessels (with metallic liners) and metallic pressurised structures used in space systems. It excludes pressure components (lines, fittings, valves, hoses, etc.) and specialised pressurised hardware such as batteries, heat pipes, cryostats and sealed containers.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard).
• Publication date: 2003-12 (Edition 1, published December 2003 — often listed as 1 December 2003 in catalogues).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 49.140 (Space systems and operations).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2003).
• Number of pages: 30 (document varies slightly by national reprints, but ISO bibliographic record lists 30 pages).

Scope

The standard applies to pressure vessels and pressurised structures that are part of space systems: metallic pressure vessels, composite-overwrapped pressure vessels with metallic liners, and metallic pressurised structures. It defines design and operational requirements but does not apply to ancillary pressure components (pipes, fittings, valves, hoses) or to certain specialised pressurised equipment such as batteries, heat pipes, cryostats and sealed containers. The scope is focused on requirements needed to ensure structural integrity, safe operation and compatibility with the space environment.

Key topics and requirements

• Design principles for metallic and composite-overwrapped pressure vessels used in spacecraft (loads, factors of safety and design margins).
• Material selection and compatibility for liners, overwraps and metallic pressurised structures.
• Manufacturing and inspection requirements, including non-destructive examination and quality assurance documentation.
• Testing and verification: proof (pressure) testing, leak testing and acceptance criteria appropriate for space use.
• Operational requirements: handling, pressurisation/depressurisation procedures, maintenance and in‑service monitoring.
• Requirements to address environmental influences typical of space service (thermal cycling, vacuum, vibration, launch loads) and interfaces with system hardware.
• Exclusions and tailoring guidance for pressure components and special pressurised equipment that are outside the standard’s scope.

Typical use and users

Primary users are spacecraft systems and structure engineers, COPV (composite overwrapped pressure vessel) and metallic vessel designers and manufacturers, test laboratories, system integrators and project safety/qualification teams. Regulators, procuring agencies and organisations defining procurement/acceptance criteria for space hardware also use the standard as a reference.

Related standards

ISO 14623 is used alongside other space and pressure‑vessel standards. Notable related documents include aerospace and space-sector design standards for pressurised hardware such as ECSS structural/pressurised-hardware standards and industry standards for composite and metallic pressure vessels (for example AIAA/ANSI composite COPV guidance). National pressure-vessel codes and aerospace-specific verification standards are also commonly used together with ISO 14623 for project-specific requirements.

Keywords

space systems, pressure vessel, COPV, composite overwrapped pressure vessel, pressurised structure, design, testing, qualification, inspection, ISO 14623, metallic liner, launch loads, vacuum, thermal cycling

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 14623:2003 is an international standard that sets out design and operation requirements for pressure vessels and pressurised structures used in space systems.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers general and detailed requirements for metallic pressure vessels, composite overwrapped pressure vessels with metallic liners, and metallic pressurised structures, including design principles, material selection, manufacturing, inspection and testing, and operational procedures. It explicitly excludes pressure components (pipes, valves, fittings, hoses) and certain specialised pressurised hardware.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Spacecraft designers and structural engineers, manufacturers of COPVs and metallic vessels, test houses, system integrators, procurement and qualification teams, and agencies responsible for hardware acceptance and safety.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The standard was published in December 2003 (Edition 1). ISO’s bibliographic and lifecycle records show the standard as published and under periodic review; recent ISO lifecycle entries indicate the standard has been confirmed/under review at multiple five‑year intervals and has a status entry indicating it is to be revised in the ISO review cycle. Users should check the latest ISO catalogue or their national standards body for any revision, amendment or replacement (an active work item / draft replacement has been indicated in ISO records).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within ISO/TC 20/SC 14 (space systems) and the broader set of ISO space standards; related ISO documents addressing space materials, safety and compatibility exist under the same technical committee. Projects typically use ISO 14623 together with other space and industry standards (e.g., ECSS and AIAA/ANSI guidance) to cover all verification and design needs.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Space systems, pressure vessel, COPV, pressurised structure, design, testing, qualification, inspection, metallic liner.