TWTA On-Orbit Reliability for Satellite Industry

On-orbit reliability of traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) is examined for an on-orbit satellite fleet. It is compared with prior analyses performed for another satellite manufacturer's on-orbit fleet. Interesting commonalities are seen across the two data sets suggesting industry level trends. By combining the data sets where possible, an exceptionally large data set is achieved which provides indisputable industry level trends. Through comparing and contrasting the two studies, an interesting thesis is proffered; the reliability rates are independent of satellite integrator requirements or their test protocols but instead are resultant from long term TWT and electronic power conditioner industry design and manufacturing improvements. The composite of the two on-orbit fleets represents 421 million amplifier hours of performance. This statistically significant sample size, along with the similarity of key on-orbit fleet performance and reliability statistics validate the trend accuracy and conclusions. It is clear that the TWTA suppliers are continuously improving their manufacturing processes and failure rates are steadily improving as a function of time.