National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This Technical Handbook approved by NASA September 23, 2002. 52 p. This handbook provides requirements for applying Data Matrix identification symbols to parts used on NASA programs/projects using direct part marking (DPM) methods and techniques. While it is anticipated that this handbook will be used on new programs as well as those that are currently in the design phase, retrofit marking for hardware on existing programs is encouraged where feasible. The portions of this document addressing the application of human readable identification (HRI) markings does not apply to retrofit marking programs. Materials degradation and hazard analysis studies conducted on existing NASA programs were made under the assumption that a single HRI marking would be applied to each product.