The reliability, availability, and maintainability of ground systems in support of space missions

The topic of Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) is a dedicated section in the new Ground Systems Engineering Handbook being prepared at The Aerospace Corporation. This paper provides an overview of the RAM content of the handbook, which focuses on the RAM tasks to be accomplished by ground systems over the program lifecycle. RAM involvement begins with program inception and continues throughout program design, integration, tests, operations, and sustainment. The paper identifies and discusses the elements and considerations in the RAM program of a ground system in support of the spacecraft missions.