Experimentation For The Maturation Of Deep Space Cryogenic Refueling Technologies

This report describes the results of the "Experimentation for the Maturation of Deep Space Cryogenic Refueling Technology" study. This study identifies cryogenic fluid management technologies that require low-gravity flight experiments bring technology readiness levels to 5 to 6; examines many possible flight experiment options; and develops near-term low-cost flight experiment concepts to mature the core technologies. A total of 25 white papers were prepared by members of the project team in the course of this study. The full text of each white paper is included and 89 relevant references are cited. The team reviewed the white papers that provided information on new or active concepts of experiments to pursue and assessed them on the basis of technical need, cost, return on investment, and flight platform. Based on on this assessment the "Centaur Test Bed for Cryogenic Fluid Management" was rated the highest. "Computational Opportunities for Cryogenics for Cryogenic and Low-g Fluid Systems" was ranked second, based on its high scores in state of the art and return on investment, even though scores in cost and time were second to last. "Flight Development Test Objective Approach for In-space Propulsion Elements" was ranked third. Chato, David J. Glenn Research Center MICROGRAVITY; CRYOGENIC FLUIDS; REFUELING; AEROSPACE ENGINEERING; FLUID MANAGEMENT; LOW COST; TEST STANDS

This paper describes the results of the "Experimentation for the Maturation of Deep Space Cryogenic Refueling Technology" study. The purposes of this study were to identify cryogenic fluids management technologies requiring low gravity flight experiments to bring to technology readiness level (TRL) 5-6; to study many possible flight experiment options; and to develop near-term low-cost flight experiment concepts to mature core technologies of refueling. A total of twenty-five white papers were prepared in the course of this study. Each white paper is briefly summarized and relevant references cited. A total of 90 references are cited. Chato, David J. Glenn Research Center NASA/TM-2006-214262, AIAA Paper-2006-0940, E-15545

This paper describes the results of the "Experimentation for the Maturation of Deep Space Cryogenic Refueling Technology" study. The purposes of this study were to identify cryogenic fluids management technologies requiring low gravity flight experiments to bring to technology readiness level (TRL) 5-6; to study many possible flight experiment options; and to develop near-term low-cost flight experiment concepts to mature core technologies of refueling. A total of twenty-five white papers were prepared in the course of this study. Each white paper is briefly summarized and relevant references cited. A total of 90 references are cited.

This paper discusses the technologies required to develop deep space refueling of cryogenic propellants and low cost flight experiments to develop them. Key technologies include long term storage, pressure control, mass gauging, liquid acquisition, and fluid transfer. Prior flight experiments used to mature technologies are discussed. A plan is presented to systematically study the deep space refueling problem and devise low-cost experiments to further mature technologies and prepare for full scale flight demonstrations. Chato, David J. Glenn Research Center NASA/TM-2005-213640, AIAA Paper 2005-1148, E-15124

Liquid Acquisition Devices for Advanced In-Space Cryogenic Propulsion Systems discusses the importance of reliable cryogenic systems, a pivotal part of everything from engine propulsion to fuel deposits. As some of the most efficient systems involve advanced cryogenic fluid management systems that present challenging issues, the book tackles issues such as the difficulty in obtaining data, the lack of quality data and models, and the complexity in trying to model these systems. The book presents models and experimental data based on rare and hard-to-obtain cryogenic data. Through clear descriptions of practical data and models, readers will explore the development of robust and flexible liquid acquisition devices (LAD) through component-level and full-scale ground experiments, as well as analytical tools. This book presents new and rare experimental data, as well as analytical models, in a fundamental area to the aerospace and space-flight communities. With this data, the reader can consider new and improved ways to design, analyze, and build expensive flight systems. Presents a definitive reference for design ideas, analysis tools, and performance data on cryogenic liquid acquisition devices Provides historical perspectives to present fundamental design models and performance data, which are applied to two practical examples throughout the book Describes a series of models to optimize liquid acquisition device performance, which are confirmed through a variety of parametric component level tests Includes video clips of experiments on a companion website

The COLD-SAT spacecraft will perform subcritical liquid hydrogen storage and transfer experiments under low-gravity conditions to provide engineering data for future space transportation missions. Consisting of an experiment module mated to a spacecraft bus, COLD-SAT will be placed in an initial 460 km circular orbit by an Atlas I commercial launch vehicle. After deployment, the three-axis-controlled spacecraft bus will provide electric power, experiment control and data management, communications, and attitude control along with propulsive acceleration levels ranging from 10(-6) to 10(-4)g. These accelerations are an important aspect of some of the experiments, as it is desired to know the effects that low gravity levels might have on the heat and mass transfer processes involved. The experiment module will contain the three liquid hydrogen tanks, valves, pressurization equipment, and instrumentation. At launch all the hydrogen will be in the largest tank, which has helium-purged MLI and is loaded and topped off by the hydrogen tanking system used for the Centaur upper stage of the Atlas. The two smaller tanks will be utilized in orbit for performing some of the experiments. The experiments are grouped into two classes on the basis of their priority, and include six regarded as enabling technology and nine regarded as enhancing technology. Schuster, J. R. and Wachter, Joseph P. and Powers, Albert G. Glenn Research Center NASA-TM-102303, E-4984, NAS 1.15:102303, IAF-89-057 RTOP 506-48-21...

The cryogenic fluid management technologies required for the exploration of the solar system can only be fully developed via space-based experiments. A dedicated spacecraft is the most efficient way to perform these experiments. This report documents the extended conceptual design of the COLD-SAT spacecraft, capable of meeting these experimental requirements. All elements, including the spacecraft, ground segment, launch site modifications and launch vehicle operations, and flight operations are included. Greatly expanded coverage is provided for those areas unique to this cryogenic spacecraft, such as the experiment system, attitude control system, and spacecraft operations. Supporting analyses are included as are testing requirements, facilities surveys, and proposed project timelines. Kramer, Edward (Editor) Glenn Research Center NASA/TP-1998-3523, NAS 1.60:3523, E-9130 RTOP 506-48-00...