Analysis of low-g heat transfer for a cryogenic oxygen pressurization heater

After the external tank separates from the Orbiter about 2000 pounds of residual liquid oxygen remain in the main propulsion system lines. The pressurization of liquid oxygen from a subcritical to a supercritical state by the use of the heaters of the PRSA tanks while in a low-g environment is investigated. The performance of the heaters while bringing the state of the substance from the subcritical state to the supercritical one is studied, with particular emphasis on the time the pressurization process takes, and the temperature of the heater as the process proceeds.