NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Cryogenic Fluid Management Technology for Moon and Mars MissionsIn support of the U.S. Space Exploration Policy, focused cryogenic fluid management technology efforts are underway within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Under the auspices of the Exploration Technology Development Program, cryogenic fluid management technology efforts are being conducted by the Cryogenic Fluid Management Project. Cryogenic Fluid Management Project objectives are to develop storage, transfer, and handling technologies for cryogens to support high performance demands of lunar, and ultimately, Mars missions in the application areas of propulsion, surface systems, and Earth-based ground operations. The targeted use of cryogens and cryogenic technologies for these application areas is anticipated to significantly reduce propellant launch mass and required on-orbit margins, to reduce and even eliminate storage tank boil-off losses for long term missions, to economize ground pad storage and transfer operations, and to expand operational and architectural operations at destination. This paper organizes Cryogenic Fluid Management Project technology efforts according to Exploration Architecture target areas, and discusses the scope of trade studies, analytical modeling, and test efforts presently underway, as well as future plans, to address those target areas. The target areas are: liquid methane/liquid oxygen for propelling the Altair Lander Ascent Stage, liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen for propelling the Altair Lander Descent Stage and Ares V Earth Departure Stage, liquefaction, zero boil-off, and propellant scavenging for Lunar Surface Systems, cold helium and zero boil-off technologies for Earth-Based Ground Operations, and architecture definition studies for long term storage and on-orbit transfer and pressurization of LH2, cryogenic Mars landing and ascent vehicles, and cryogenic production via in situ resource utilization on Mars.
Document ID
20100011002
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Doherty, Michael P.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Gaby, Joseph D.
(Arctic Slope Regional Corp. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Salerno, Louis J.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Sutherlin, Steven G.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 2010
Subject Category
Propellants And Fuels
Report/Patent Number
E-17118
NASA/TM-2010-216070
AIAA Paper 2009-6532
Meeting Information
Meeting: Space 2009 Conference and Exposition
Location: Pasadena, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: September 14, 2009
End Date: September 17, 2009
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 095240.04.03.01.03
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
No Preview Available