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Author
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Topic: Spacehab screws flown or unflown?
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Roger K
Member Posts: 210
From: Torrance CA
Registered: May 2012
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posted 08-10-2019 12:03 PM
   
I own a small bag of Spacehab screws with paperwork and would like to know if anybody can tell me if these are unflown spare screws or if they might have flown in space. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much. 
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oly
Member Posts: 905
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 08-10-2019 11:15 PM
The parts tag shown in your image shows these parts being released from a bonded storage facility (parts stock) 17 July 2007, and received by the next parts receiver 24 July 2007, not a lot of time before the 08 Aug 2007 launch of the STS-118 mission, the final mission to carry Spacehab. This type of document details parts and material traceability of new items, and is retained in records after installation (the point at which the part and the tag become separated).Your image also does not show any tell-tale evidence that these screws have ever been installed into a threaded unit, because there does not seem to be any scratch, chafe, rub, fret or friction marking in the threaded section of the screws, or any deformation of any kind to the drive head. While this does not prove conclusively that they have never been installed, it would be unlikely that these type of screws did not show some evidence of use. They are generally installed into some kind of self-locking nuts, such as an anchor nut, which prevents the screw from unwinding should it become loose. Such devices use friction to secure the screw, resulting in some wear marks applied to the thread. These screws may have been installed, removed, and undergone some type of post-use cleaning, however, they would no longer be attached to the new parts item tag, as they would be used items, and should have documentation detailing where they came from, and why they were removed. I believe that it is highly unlikely they have ever been used, however, this is based only on the evidence provided. It is interesting that they were purchased for 34 cents each, I wonder what they were charged to the customer for?
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Roger K
Member Posts: 210
From: Torrance CA
Registered: May 2012
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posted 08-10-2019 11:31 PM
Thank you so much for your reply, I greatly appreciate that. Regarding evidence, I looked at some of the screws a bit more closely and they look pristine/unused and the above shown paperwork is all that came with the screws. I agree, based on your info regarding the paperwork and the pristine look of the screws, it’s extremely unlikely they were used or flown. Case closed.  Thanks again so much. | |
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