scope:

Abstract:

Studies have shown that mechanical failures are more frequent and more likely to significantly affect mission success than are electronic failures. Spaceflight mechanisms are usually unique designs that lack the years of testing and usage common to electrical devices and in general cannot be designed with the same level of block of functional redundancy, or graceful degradation, common with electronic circuit design. The lesson provides a recommended checklist that contains 92 measures for enhancing the reliability, ease of fabrication, testability, maintainability, and robustness of mechanical designs.