Development and Application of Reliability Analysis Techniques for Early Advanced Life Support Systems
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Executive Summary
An Advanced Life Support (ALS) system for human long duration exploration of space is expected to consist of subsystems of biomass production, food processing, air revitalization, water reclamation, solid waste treatment, and thermal processing (Hanford, 2002). In order to ensure the sustained operation of the entire ALS system, it is import to clearly define the functional requirements and desired operational states of the system, each subsystem, and each component throughout the mission. In other words, the functional responsibilities of each subsystem in response to the operational needs of the entire ALS system must be clearly defined. Furthermore, it is equally important that the interactions (both competitive and complementary in nature) among the subsystems are thoroughly understood so that the potential for responsibility conflict and/or sharing can be effectively managed.
Reliability analysis falls directly into the plan set forth by the Bioastronautics Critical Path Roadmap (Leveton, 2002). Reliability engineering considers the risks of failure of the system, subsystems, and components. Further, it considers the consequences of such failures. The proposed research develops a concept for what an anticipated ALS system will entail, based on current system perspectives (Hanford, 2002) and current system requirements (Duffield and Hanford, 2002). Then the proposed research will consider the failure modes of such a system and the criticalities of these fairlure modes.
Currently stated system requirements are very clear in Duffield and Hanford (2002). It is expected that the cumulative probability of the safe return of the crew must be over 99% (Duffield and Hanford, 2002). With reliability analysis, it is possible to determine the probability that the system will be in a failure state. Subsequently, the results of such analysis enable contingency planning to ensure that catastrophic system failure will not occur.
- Duffield, B.E. and A.J. Hanford, 2002, Advanced life support requirements document, NASA – Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, CTSD-ADV-245B, JSC-38571B, LMSEAT-33992 B.
- Hanford, A.J., 2002, Advanced Life Support baseline values and assumptions document, NASA – Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA, Document Number CTSD-ADV-484, JSC 47804.
- Leveton, L., 2002, Critical Path Roadmap (CPR) Baseline Document, Document 000502, http://research.hq.nasa.gov/code_u/nra/current/NRA-02-OBPR-01/index.html
