Duties of the Structures section     Vega Finite Element model   Within its realm of technical competence and responsibility, the section carries out the following duties: Provision of specialised support to spacecraft and launcher feasibility and project definition studies, preparatory programmes and approved projects, as well as direct support to industry where needed Participation in the definition and execution of the Agency's technology programmes, including provision of inputs for the technical contents, harmonisation and industry policy Contribution to the overseeing activities of the Technical and Quality Management Directorate through participation in project reviews and evaluation of procurement packages Monitoring of development and technology trends, and harmonisation of applicable Agency and national developments Establishment, maintenance and promotion of design and engineering standards, guidelines and handbooks, including standards for the exchange of data in the area of configuration and structures         Force Measurement Device   For the conduct of these activities the Section: Maintains a state-of-the-art expertise in relevant structural disciplines Maintains technical liaison with users, project groups and other organisational entities in and outside the Agency Defines, implements and uses methods and tools for structural configuration definition and analysis, as well as for structural design and verification by structural analysis, by integrity assessment and by test, including effects of fluids and vibro-acoustics Defines, maintains and operates the ESTEC structural design and analysis facility       Last update: 24 April 2007