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Cryogenics and the Human Exploration of MarsCurrent plans within NASA involve extending the human exploration of space from low earth orbit into the solar system, with the first human exploration of Mars presently planned in 2011. Integral to all hum Mars mission phases is cryogenic fluid management. Cryogenic fluids will be required both as propellant and for In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). Without safe and efficient cryogen storage human Mars missions will not be possible. Effective control and handling of cryogenic fluids is the key to affordable Mars missions, and advancing active thermal control technology is synergistic with all of NASA's exploration initiatives and with existing and future instrument cooling programs, including MTPE and Origins. Present mission scenarios for human exploration require cryogenic propellant storage for up to 1700 days and for up to 60 metric tons. These requirements represent increases of an order of magnitude over previous storage masses and lifetimes. The key cryogenic terminology areas to be addressed in human Mars missions are long-term propellant storage, cryogenic refrigeration, cryogenic liquefaction, and zero gravity fluid management. Long-term storage for the thermal control of cryogenic propellants is best accomplished with a mix of passive and active technologies. Passive technologies such as advanced multilayer insulation (MLI) concepts will be combined with the development of active coolers (cryogenic refrigerators). Candidates for long-life active cooling applications include Reverse Turbo-Brayton, Stirling, and Pulse-Tube coolers. The integration of passive and active technologies will form a hybrid system optimized to minimize the launch mass while preserving the cryogenic propellants. Since cryogenic propellants are the largest mass that Mars missions must launch from earth, even a modest reduction in the percentage of propellant carried results in a significant weight saving. This paper will present a brief overview of cryogenic fluid management technology as it applies to the current human Mars mission scenarios.
Document ID
20020051108
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Salerno, Louis J.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Kittel, Peter
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Rasky, Daniel J.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1997
Subject Category
Nuclear Physics
Meeting Information
Meeting: 1997 Space Cryogenics Workshop
Location: Eugene, OR
Country: United States
Start Date: August 4, 1997
End Date: August 5, 1997
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 242-80-01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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