Space Transportation Main Engine reliability demonstration technique

To satisfy the Space Transportation Main Engine (STME) reliability requirement demonstration of 99% reliability at 90% confidence, the Space Propulsion Integrated Reliability Team (SPIRT) developed a cost-efficient and effective approach using the binomial model in combination with the US Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity (AMSAA) growth model. Using the binomial model as the base, the number of tests necessary to meet the requirement demonstration is established by assuming no failures during the demonstration test. To assist in ascertaining whether the zero failure requirement can be met during the reliability demonstration, the AMSAA growth trend will be assessed through the development testing. The results of the trend will be used to decide whether more development testing is required or the reliability demonstration can be initiated