Reliability Management Control During Rocket Engine Development Programs

The paper describes reliability management control methods which have been used on both liquid and solid propellant large rocket engines during engineering development programs. The procedures, criteria for applicability, and test result classifications, as well as the statistical techniques for reliability assessment as they have been used on the ballistic missile programs, are described. Lastly, the applications of these techniques are discussed with respect to their use on propulsion systems for space missions.