Use of Programmed Review of Information for Costing and Evaluation (PRICE) model at CNES

The bases of the PRICE model, which calculates a cost-mass relation for a given project from data of thousands of other projects are outlined, and its application to the Ariane project is outlined. Ten to 20 descriptors per project define key elements, like manufacturing processes, and regression analysis calculates their coefficients and range. The model assesses physical parameters and others such as time limits. The few differences between model forecasts and actual production costs for Ariane were due to special circumstances.