Vehicle wide optimization of subsystem trade study option selection

Abstract

As demand for highly reliable complex systems increases, engineers are being forced to consider the risk implications of design decisions earlier in the conceptual phase of projects and with greater accuracy. In highly mass constrained systems, in order to achieve increased reliability, buying down risk with mass cannot be considered from a ‘stove-piped’ stand point, but rather it must be approached from a global system perspective. The Altair lunar lander design team was able to implement a process of Risk Informed Design utilizing the Valador Reliability Tool [1] (VRT) in order to achieve high reliability. This tool is able to quickly and accurately produce estimates of the risk of Loss of Mission (LOM) and Loss of Crew (LOC) and provide insight to the designers as to how their decisions will impact overall mission success.