This Guide provides guidance for establishing baseline requirements for the design, analysis, manufacturing, test, and operation of composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPV) with a plastic liner used for aerospace systems such as spacecraft and launch vehicles. This Guide is only applicable for a COPV with a plastic liner; the liner includes the metallic portions such as the bosses.

Requirements for COPVs levied from other authorities (such as Range Safety, FAA, DOT, etc.) may also be applicable. Specific applications, particularly those involving human spaceflight, may have additional requirements. There may also be additional requirements for hardware elements that are not addressed by this document, such as the presence of a propellant management device or diaphragm. The full set of these requirements may be identified before the design process begins and may be addressed through all stages of the lifecycle.