A rocket example: Ariane 501
Ariane 5 design goals
- Ability to lift heavier payloads
- Emphasis on reliability
Ariane 5 features
- Smaller number of more powerful engines
- Redundant systems for all electronic functions (hot backup configuration)
Validation program
- 3 launches with real payloads (501, 502, and 503)
- Advertised “as so reliable insurance was not needed”