On the functional reliability of the regenerative life support systems for manned spacecraft

The paper considers two classes of problems concerned with reliability of manned spacecraft regenerative life-support system (RLSS) on the stages of design, testing and operation, as well as the approach to the definition of “functional reliability” as a component of the general reliability theory as opposed to the “structural reliability”. General methods for calculating the reliability of technological systems at all stages of their life cycle are considered. Mathematical models of functional, structural, and overall reliability of a manned spacecraft RLSS are proposed. Based on the results of independent tests of the carbon dioxide processing system, calculations of the functional reliability of the unit for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide are performed. The unit is being developed for use in the manned spacecraft RLSS. The article also presents the conclusions on the analysis of the results of the calculation of functional reliability for the carbon dioxide hydrogenation unit.