Mechanical Systems

This engineering area works on the design, development and testing of vehicle and instrument structures, mechanisms deployment systems, associated mechanical ground support equipment and facilities structures. Mechanical Systems research includes research on mechanical requirements development, mechanical system interfaces among instruments, subsystems, vehicle and ground systems, vehicle and instrument manufacturing and assembly, and vehicle and instrument alignment techniques and qualification testing. NASA engineers working in mechanical systems may also be knowledgeable in manufacturing techniques, materials, mechanical and materials standards, parametric computer aided design, mechanisms design, basic structural analysis, and knowledge of the state of best practice for complex mechanical systems.