Lightweight, Hybrid Screen-Channel Device for Advanced Cryogenic Fluid Management

The Lightweight, Hybrid Screen-Channel Device for Advanced Cryogenic Fluid Management is a liquid acquisition device (LAD) designed to optimize the position of residual liquid in a fuel tank in order to improve expulsion efficiency. It aims to address the need for vapor-free propellant on long-duration missions, particularly the acquisition of propellant from the supply tank and the subsequent transfer to a receiving spacecraft. Creare will leverage four parabolic flights to demonstrate the device’s acquisition capabilities via its screened channel and guide vanes, as well as to evaluate its achievable expulsion efficiency.

The Lightweight, Hybrid Screen-Channel Device for Advanced Cryogenic Fluid Management is a liquid acquisition device (LAD) that uses screened channels to rapidly transfer cryogenic liquids across a wide range of operating conditions while preventing vapor ingestion into the transfer pump, a key challenge of current fuel transfer methods. Making this LAD commercially available could enable its use on existing spacecraft, making them suitable for long-duration missions. This has the potential to benefit NASA missions and the commercial space industry.

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