Decreasing Uncertainty of Cryogenic Transfer Technology (DUCT2)

Active TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 5)

Description

This activity will design, build, and operate a ground test article to provide model validation data for cryogenic transfer systems. Objectives for this activity include:

Development of a liquid hydrogen transfer operations capability utilizing ground testing hardware and analytical modeling.
Address knowledge, data, and modeling gaps in liquid hydrogen transfer operations through data collection and instrumentation on the developed platform.
Demonstrate multiple different injector types within the operations, down-select at the end to a recommendation for use on.
Observe fundamental physical phenomena in the developed platform transfer tank via visualization technologies.

Benefits

Reduce risk and close gaps related to propellant transfer for near-term cryogenic flight demos and other long-duration missions by decreasing the uncertainty of transfer and chill-down technologies for LH2 operations for future missions

Details

Technology area	Thermal Management Systems > Cryogenic Systems > In-Space Propellant Storage and Use
Program	Technology Demonstration Missions (TDM)
Lead organization	Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH
Start date	2024-04-01
End date	2029-03-31

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Amber S Krauss — amber.s.krauss@nasa.gov
Eric R Carlberg — eric.r.carlberg@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.