COLD-SAT orbital experiment configured for Altas launchA study was done of the feasibility of conducting liquid hydrogen orbital storage, acquisition, and transfer experiments aboard a spacecraft launched by a commercial Atlas launch vehicle. Three hydrogen tanks are mated to a spacecraft bus that is similar to that used for three-axis-controlled satellites. The bus provides power, communications, and attitude control along with acceleration levels ranging from 10 exp -6 to 10 exp -4 g. At launch, all the liquid hydrogen is contained in the largest tank, which has an insulation system designed for both space operation and the short-term launch pad and ascent environment. This tank is much lighter and lower in cost than a vacuum-jacketed design, and is made possible by the experiment tanking options available due to the hydrogen-fueled Centaur upper stage of the Atlas I.
Document ID
19920030802
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Schuster, J. R. (General Dynamics Corp. San Diego, CA, United States)
Bennett, F. O. (General Dynamics Corp. Space Systems Div., San Diego, CA, United States)
Wachter, J. P. (Loral Aerospace Corp. Space Systems Div., Palo Alto, CA, United States)