Prediction of Launch Vehicle Availability using Computer Simulation

The techniques for evaluating system effectiveness of the Saturn V Launch Vehicle System during the prelaunch phase of operations are reviewed and the results achieved are summarized. The elements by which system effectiveness can be measured are capability, reliability and availability. Availability is the probability that a system will be ready to perform its mission during a certain period of time. The objective of the studies described is to understand the behavior of the system during the prelaunch phase. This understanding will allow: prediction of the probability of successful launch, identification of the major contributors to non-success, evaluation of potential fixes, and formulation of specific recommendations for system improvements. The key element of the techniques employed in these studies is a model that utilizes a digital computer to simulate the prelaunch processing of the Saturn V Launch Vehicle.

Print ISSN

0361-4573

Published

1968-10

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J13642