Preload relaxation analysis and reliable life prediction of space connection and separation device based on accelerated degradation tests

The safety and reliability of space connection and separation device has become a key issue due to the increasing service span of deep space exploration mission.The long-term preload relaxation(a key failure mode)of connection and separation devices is focused in this paper.A ser-ies of tests have been designed and implemented to investigate the preload relaxation regulation and a comprehensive method has been constructed to analyze and predict the reliable lifetime of the device.The two-stage preload relaxation law of the device is found and reasonably considered.Due to the different relaxation mechanism,the first-stage preload relaxation is assessed based on the working-condition test results,and the second-stage preload relaxation is characterized by accel-erated test results.Finally,the service reliability and reliable life are evaluated.The experiment and assessment results demonstrate the reasonability and effectiveness of the proposed method which can achieve long-service reliability analysis for space connection and separation device within lim-ited time.