Increase in Weight and Cost due to Redundant Systems

Preliminary studies performed by the author indicate that implementation of redundant components in the spacecraft or satellite power systems does improve the system reliability, but it does so at the expense of higher weight and component costs as a function of mission length or duration. An estimated increase in total power system weight and cost as a function of mission duration is evident from the published data summarized in Tables 2.10 and 2.11, respectively. 

Note Based on these data it can be stated that the DSR redundant system offers minimum increase in weight. Table 2.10 summarizes the estimated increase in total system cost factor as a function of mission length and redundant systems deployed. 

On the basis of the tabulated data it can be stated that the increase in cost factor is minimum with the DSR redundant system. These conclusions are valid for this spacecraft power system, and these conclusions indicate a trend in the increase in weight and cost factor as a function of mission duration using various redundant systems. In summary, performance data available from the power systems deployed by various spacecraft and satellites do indicate that redundant systems tend to yield higher reliability as a function of mission duration or length. Furthermore, the power system reliability does decrease with the increase in mission length regardless of redundant system deployed. 

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