STUDY OF APPLICATION OF RELIABILITY PREDICTION TECHNIQUES ON FLIGHT CONTROL COMPONENTS

Abstract : A previous reliability research effort generated an analytical technique called the Moment method for predicting drift-type failures in components and systems. This technique is based on the Propagation of Variance formula, which combines data derived from the system, or system model, and formula, which combines data derived from the system, or system model, and parameter tolerance data, to formulate an estimate of the probability that the system will perform within specifications at the initial or some future time of operation. A discussion is presented on the application of the reliability-prediction technique to a momentum-exchange-type attitude control and stabilization subsystem for a satellite, a liquid-metal servo actuating subsystem, and an electrohydraulic servo valve. A mathematical model was analysis of the expected system degradation over time was made, and a prediction of efficiency and reliability is presented.