RAMS and risk assessments performed in the course of the system design, verification and operation of space systems rely on the availability of realistic input data. This input data is coming mainly from three different sources:
- MIL-HDBK-217F, Notice 2 for EEE components
- manufacturer supplied information (e.g. pyrovalves, reaction wheels)
- expert judgement based on experience and on the adaptation of data from space and non-space applications.
A good part of this input data (e.g. failure and repair rates, anomaly frequencies, etc.) is rather conservative, does not reflect the latest technologies and is based on estimations rather than on observations. One way to address the problem is to collect and exploit field data obtained during the verification and the operation of space systems