ISO 15859-13-2004 PDF

Full title and description

Space systems — Fluid characteristics, sampling and test methods — Part 13: Breathing air. This international standard specifies composition limits for breathing air and the sampling and test requirements used to verify breathing-air quality for purge and pressurization of launch vehicles, spacecraft, flight hardware and ground support systems and facilities.

Abstract

ISO 15859-13:2004 defines permissible composition limits for breathing air used in space systems and establishes procedures for sampling, handling and analytical testing to verify compliance. It applies to breathing air intended for purging and pressurization of space systems and may be applied to influent breathing air and any sampling operation up to the point where the fluid enters a launch vehicle or spacecraft.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 2004-06 (June 2004).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 49.140.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2004).
• Number of pages: 7.

Details as listed by ISO.

Scope

The standard is applicable to sampling and test methods for breathing air used for purging and pressurization of space systems (launch vehicles, spacecraft), associated flight hardware and ground-support equipment and facilities. It is intended to ensure that fluid entering the vehicle or spacecraft meets agreed composition limits or any user-specified technical specification.

Key topics and requirements

• Composition limits for breathing air (major gas fractions and maximum concentrations for contaminants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water, total hydrocarbons, halogenated/chlorinated hydrocarbons, nitrous oxide and certain aromatic hydrocarbons).
• Requirement for an approved fluid-sampling plan covering sampling points, procedures, frequency, sample size, number of samples, test methods and responsibilities.
• Responsibility and sampling location: normally the supplier samples and verifies breathing air at storage or at the flight-vehicle interface unless otherwise agreed.
• Sampling frequency: minimum annual verification or as agreed between supplier and customer.
• Sample handling and containers: guidance on simultaneous filling, direct withdrawal, direct connection to analyzers, and prohibition on refilling sample containers after sampling.
• Rejection and disposition: any sample failing to meet specified limits must be rejected and disposition determined by the customer.
• Acceptable test methods and instrumentation: gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, electrochemical and paramagnetic oxygen analyzers, infrared analyzers for CO/CO2, dew-point/hygrometer methods for water, flame-ionization detection for hydrocarbons, odour checks and other validated techniques; calibration and traceability requirements apply.

Summary of technical requirements and test-method options as described in the standard and subsequent explanatory compilations.

Typical use and users

Used by launch operators, spacecraft integrators, life‑support and environmental‑control engineers, ground‑support and purge‑air suppliers, procurement and quality assurance teams, and test laboratories performing acceptance and verification testing for crewed and uncrewed space systems. It is also referenced in comparative reviews of aerospace fluid specifications.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 15859 series (Space systems — Fluid characteristics, sampling and test methods), which includes other parts addressing fluids such as oxygen, nitrogen, water and various propellants; ISO 15859 parts are intended to be used together where relevant. Other relevant documents include national/adopted versions and organisational specifications used by agencies and contractors.

Keywords

breathing air, space systems, sampling plan, test methods, gas analysis, purge air, pressurization, air composition, ISO 15859-13:2004.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 15859-13:2004 is Part 13 of the ISO 15859 series and specifies composition limits and sampling/test requirements for breathing air used with space systems (purge and pressurization applications).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers allowable contaminant limits, required sampling plans and procedures, sample handling and containers, sampling frequency and responsibilities, rejection criteria, and acceptable analytical test methods with calibration/traceability provisions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Launch operators, spacecraft integrators, breathing-air suppliers, ground support organisations, test laboratories, and life‑support/environmental engineers involved in crewed or hardware‑critical systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO lists ISO 15859-13 as published in June 2004 (Edition 1). No later edition for Part 13 is shown on the ISO catalogue as of the ISO listing consulted; users should check the ISO catalogue or their national standards body to confirm whether any revisions, national adoptions or superseding documents exist before relying on the text for procurement or certification.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 13 of the ISO 15859 series (Space systems — Fluid characteristics, sampling and test methods), which collectively address multiple fluids of interest to space operations.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Breathing air, sampling plan, air composition limits, purge, pressurization, gas chromatography, gas analysis, ISO 15859.