Goal-Oriented Reliability Program Framework for Space Science and Application Payloads

Space science and application payloads encounter significant reliability and safety challenges due to technological complexity, cost constraints, and limited development timelines. Traditional reliability programs define requirements and work items across mission phases; however, several critical issues persist, including disconnected functional and reliability design processes, ambiguous definitions of reliability missions and requirements, and the application of inappropriate reliability metrics. This study proposes a goal-oriented reliability program framework for space payloads, transitioning from conventional process-oriented approaches to goal-driven reliability assurance. Initially, widely adopted reliability program standards, including GJB 450B, GJB 1909, GJB 9421, and GB/T 35439, are reviewed. Multi-phase processes and static verification and validation procedures characterize these standards. Additionally, contemporary NASA reliability and maintainability (R&M) documents, as well as SpaceX and Huawei reliability workflows, are analyzed. Based on this analysis, the limitations of existing standards are identified in the context of space science and application mission requirements. Subsequently, a novel reliability program framework is proposed to enhance scientific and engineering value while minimizing safety and reliability risks. The goal-oriented workflow encompasses reliability requirement analysis, constraint identification, hierarchical decomposition, and program planning. A central feature is the iterative decomposition framework guided by the application value–planning principle. This study provides methodological references and insights for developing general reliability program plans using a requirements-driven and goal-decomposition approach.