Benefits to space logistics and supportability using intelligent, decision-making self-prognostic equipment

To improve logistics and supportability for existing and future space systems, the key design driver needs to be changed from equipment and system performance to equipment usable life as is done on Air Force fighter aircraft and the new Boeing commercial passenger aircraft. Today, all space system procurement contracts require equipment performance to be measured and confirmed before purchase and delivery, but the same procurement contracts do not require the usable life of the equipment to be measured and confirmed resulting in equipment whose reliability/usable life is dominated by premature (infant mortality) failures. Premature failures drive space system logistics and supportability, increasing cost and decreasing serviceability and availability. However, reliability-centered systems measure equipment usable life to identify any equipment that suffer from an infant mortality for replacement before delivery, offer superior system availability, maintainability, reliability and supportability along with meeting or exceeding equipment and system performance requirements. Today, the expensive and outdated routine maintenance programs can be replaced by the cost-saving, condition-based maintenance (CBM) program. The CBM includes using intelligent, decision-making self-prognostic equipment that decrease increases availability while lowering the life cycle cost. The CBM is ideal for improving the logistics, availability and supportability for existing and tomorrow´s space exploration programs that benefit financially from having the right equipment and supplies available at the right time.