Regaining Space Leadership Through Control of Life Cycle Costs

This paper cove~s the concept of Unified Life Cycle Engineering (ULCE) and how it could be used to avoid the types of problems that have been identified in the operation of the current configuration of the Shuttle. Presents the concept of incorporating reliability and maintainability factors in the early phases of new system design. Describes plans for research and development of computerized tools in this area. The concept includes the role that CAE/CAD/CAM should play in improving design for supportability. The products that are needed to integrate these factors into database structures supporting the entire life cycle of the new system will also be discussed. Advanced management techniques (Design-Build-Team and Build-To-Cost) used in conjunction with the new design tools will be detailed. Also discussed will be the characteristics of these new management techniques designed to achieve the maximum benefits from the new computerized aides