Title

Design Of A High Performance Cryocooler For Propellant Liquefaction And Storage On Mars

Abstract

Human exploration of space is extending beyond low earth orbit and Moon as NASA is planning a human mission to Mars in 2014. Past studies indicate that In Situ Propellant Production (ISPP) on Mars is a key enabling technology in Mission to Mars. In ISPP, oxygen and methane, which are to be used as cryogenic propellants for any return vehicle from Mars to Earth, are produced on the Martian surface. Once the propellants are produced in gaseous state, they must be liquefied for storage and use in the ascent vehicle. Cryogenic cooling is needed for both liquefaction and storage since the storage temperature, around 90K for oxygen and 112K for methane, are considerably lower than the average temperature on the Martian surface, which is around 220K.

Publication Date

1-1-2000

Publication Title

ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE)

Volume

2000-T

Number of Pages

331-338

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2000-1453

Socpus ID

77955288682 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/77955288682

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