Development testing of a new propulsion system is generally planned around the demonstration that the system will provide the required performance throughout the range of expected interfacing variables. Inevitably, during this process, failures occur, and usually when least expected. These failures are viewed by enlightened management with mixed feelings. The failure itself is, of course, a temporary disaster to the program. When a major incident occurs in a typical large rocket engine program, the loss of the test article and the resulting schedule delays could easily reach a cost of many millions of dollars. On the brighter side, however, these failures provide quantum jumps in system reliability because of the resulting redesign for previously unexpected failure modes. When a major failure occurs, the test program is usually forestalled until the cause is understood and appropriate action is taken to prevent a recurrence. During this time, program management's paramount concern is to return the program to normalcy as soon as possible, with the safe resumption of testing being top priority. It is important that this be done as expeditiously as possible while still enabling management visibility into the process so that confidence in the final result is enhanced.
Propulsion system failure analysis - a methodology
Ausfallanalyse bei Antriebssystemen - Eine Methodik
AIAA-Papers ; 1-9
1992
9 Seiten, 15 Bilder
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
Propulsion system failure analysis - A methodology
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