FMECA-based Risk Assessment in Mono Propellant Hydrazine Propulsion System

The Monopropellant Hydrazine Propulsion system is one of the most widely used types of single-agent propulsion systems to control the position or correction of satellites in orbits. This system consists of combustion chamber subsystems (catalyst bed, catalyst, nozzle, and cap), fuel and fuel tank, high-pressure tank, control valves, and interface pipes. In this paper, the MPHP system (as a case study) is described in detail, and then critical risks are identified by creating FMECA tables on the case study in the design phase. Based on the proposed FMCEA flowchart, potential failure modes are identified. In the next step, decisions and corrective actions are formulated regarding the inherent failures of the system. Finally, the necessary measures to reduce the risks will be taken according to the system’s failure modes, and the reduction of the identified risks to an acceptable level is presented. The attained results show that the catalyst decomposition chamber, catalyst bed, inlet flow control valve, and propellant management facilities units have the highest risk index values (RPN), respectively. For this purpose, corrective measures have been suggested for each of these.