You could build the vehicle with modular assemblies locked into a frame-like chassis..
Quote from: tea monster on 07/14/2017 04:53 pmYou could build the vehicle with modular assemblies locked into a frame-like chassis..This is called ORU aka orbital replacement unit.Obviously it would be hard to have a vehicle fully that modular, but conceivably a good serviceable portion could be. Note, ORU's are being robotically serviced now.
Require 80% of the reusable lander to consist of orbital replacement units. Have a design aim of 95% of the units being replaceable. There is always something that is so hard to fix that buying a new vehicle is cheaper - car insurance companies call this a write off.
Quote from: A_M_Swallow on 07/28/2017 01:01 amRequire 80% of the reusable lander to consist of orbital replacement units. Have a design aim of 95% of the units being replaceable. There is always something that is so hard to fix that buying a new vehicle is cheaper - car insurance companies call this a write off.The downside obviously is that it's going to make everything more heavy, and will actually bring down MTBF because of extra complexity in a way of connectors, couplings etc. Probably a price worth paying.
Can any of the 'landers' currently flying on Earth perform 10 take-offs and landings without any maintenance?