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Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Reliability and Analysis EvolutionThe Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) is a large thrust class, reusable, staged combustion cycle rocket engine employing liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants. A cluster of three SSMEs is used on every space shuttle mission to propel the space shuttle orbiter vehicle into low earth orbit. Development of the SSME began in the early 70 s and the first flight of the space shuttle occurred in 1981. Today, the SSME has accrued over one million seconds of ground test and flight operational time, launching 129 space shuttle missions. Given that the SSME is used to launch a manned vehicle, its reliability must be commensurate for the task. At the same time, the SSME is a high performance, high power density engine which traditionally does not lend itself towards high reliability. Furthermore, throughout its history, the SSME operational envelope has been explored and expanded leading to several major test failures. Hence, assessing the reliability of the SSME throughout its history has been a challenging undertaking. This paper provides a review and discussion of SSME reliability assessment techniques and results over its history. Basic reliability drivers such as engine design, test program, major failures, redesigns and upgrades will also be discussed.
Document ID
20100022111
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Stephens, Walter E.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Rogers, James H.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Biggs, Robert E.
(Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
May 4, 2010
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
M10-0252
Meeting Information
Meeting: 57th JANNAF Joint Propulsion Meeting
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: May 4, 2010
End Date: May 7, 2010
Sponsors: Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, Department of the Air Force, NASA Headquarters
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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