In-space Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer


Recommended Posts

NASA just let contracts for what amounts to fuel depots in space. These, placed at key points, are a major enabling technology for beyond Earth orbit exploration and eventually settlement.

For starters; spacecraft propulsion modules, low and high Earth orbit, the Lagrange points, lunar orbit, Mars orbit, the surfaces of the Moon and Deimos (Martian moon), and possibly the minor planet Ceres whose ice could fuel missions further out.

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=34280

NASA Selects Companies to Study Storing Cryogenic Propellants in Space

NASA has selected four companies to develop concepts for storing and transferring cryogenic propellants in space. These capabilities are important for the agency's future deep space human exploration missions.

The selected companies, pending successful contract negotiations, are:

-- Analytical Mechanics Associates Inc., Hampton, Va.

-- Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation, Boulder, Colo.

-- The Boeing Company, Huntington Beach, Calif.

-- Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Littleton, Colo.

The awards total approximately $2.4 million with a maximum individual contract award of $600,000. Each company will provide a final report to help define a mission concept to demonstrate the cryogenic fluid management technologies, capabilities and infrastructure required for sustainable, affordable human presence in space.

Storing cryogenic propellants such as liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in space for long periods of time with minimal boil-off is critical for deep space human exploration. The mission concept studies will identify technology gaps and look at innovative technical solutions to develop cryogenic propulsion systems and depots.

NASA will use the studies to plan and implement a future flight demonstration mission that will test and validate key capabilities and technologies. NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program is funding the studies. The Space Technology Office at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is managing the contracts.

post-347280-0-60594600-1312656222.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.