A new two-stage active cooling system is undergoing a 90-day test in Huntsville, Alabama, potentially solving a critical challenge for long-duration space missions.
Spacecraft Fuel Stability: A New Cooling Tech Aims for Mars Missions
This innovative technology promises stable fuel storage for months, a vital step for interplanetary travel.
- A new two-stage cooling system is being tested.
- It uses helium at -253°C and -183°C to keep fuel stable.
- This technology is crucial for long missions, like to Mars.
- It aims to eliminate the need for extra fuel to account for evaporation.
Keeping liquid hydrogen and oxygen from evaporating in the extreme cold of space, even at -270°C, is surprisingly tricky. Solar radiation, onboard systems, and even a rocket’s own residual heat can warm tanks and boil off precious fuel. On Earth or Moon orbits, this can cost millions. For Mars missions, it makes storing fuel for months or years nearly impossible.
How does this new cooling technology work to stabilize fuel temperature in space? The system employs two independent circuits circulating helium. One circuit is embedded in a multilayer aluminum heat screen, deflecting most external heat. The second circuit directly contacts the tank walls, maintaining a stable fuel temperature.
Katie Henkel, the project manager for Cryogenic Fluid Management, explained the significance: “In long missions, it is impossible to discard evaporated hydrogen – we simply cannot afford fuel loss. The technology of active cooling provides stable storage of fuel not only in flight, but also on the surface of other bodies of the solar system.”
Currently, cryogenic fuels are practical for missions under a week, like heavy rocket launches. Interplanetary expeditions demand much more. Tanks need larger volumes with extra fuel set aside for evaporation. This adds mass and cost. The technology now under development aims to remove this necessity.
This work is part of a larger initiative, NASA Technology Demonstration Missions. It encompasses over 20 projects focused on fuel storage, supply, and control. The Marshall Center and the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland are collaborating on this effort.
Tests are scheduled to conclude in September. Success would mark a major stride toward crewed long-range space flights. For these missions, storing hundreds of kilograms of liquid hydrogen and oxygen for months, not just weeks, is an engineering imperative.
