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In-space cryogenic propellant depot potential commercial and exploration applications
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Fikes, John C. Howell, Joe T. Henley, Mark W. |
| Copyright Year | 2006 |
| Description | The key goals and objectives for an In-Space Cryogenic Propellant Depot are to support a safe, reliable, affordable and effective future human and robotic space exploration initiative. Previous studies have been conducted at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center to determine technical requirements and feasibility for exploration and commercial potential of an in-space cryogenic propellant depot in low-Earth-orbit (LEO), low-Lunar orbit (LLO) and/or on the lunar surface. Results indicate that in-space cryogenic propellant depots are technically feasible given continued technology development and that there is a substantial growing market that depots could support. Systems studies showed that the most expensive part of transferring payloads to geo-synchronous-orbit (GEO) is the fuel. A cryogenic propellant production and storage depot stationed in LEO could lower the cost of missions to GEO and beyond. Propellant production separates water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. This process requires large amounts of power which is enabled by Space Solar Power technologies. Recent analysis indicate that in the coming decades there could be a significant demand for water-based propellants from Earth, moon, or asteroid resources if in-space transfer vehicles (upper stages) transitioned to reusable systems using water based propellants. This type of strategic planning move could create a substantial commercial market for space resources development, and ultimately lead toward significant commercial infrastructure development within the Earth-Moon system. |
| File Size | 26120282 |
| Page Count | 31 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_20070002670 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t08w8cw2f |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2006-01-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Propellants And Fuels Water Cost Reduction Earth-moon System Aerospace Engineering Electrolysis Low Earth Orbits Liquid Oxygen Technology Assessment Cryogenic Fluid Storage Space Exploration Lunar Surface Geosynchronous Orbits Commercialization Cryogenic Rocket Propellants Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
