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NASA completes test on composite-made rocket launcher tank

12 Sep '14

2 min read

US space Agency - NASA said it has completed tests on one of the largest composite cryogenic fuel tanks ever produced, which brings the aerospace sector closer to designing, building and flying lightweight composite tanks on rockets.

The demanding series of tests on the 18-foot diameter tank were conducted inside a test stand at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Engineers added structural loads to the tank to replicate the physical stresses launch vehicles experience during flight.

John Vickers, the Project Manager for the Composite Cryogenic Technology Demonstration Project said, “We are a step closer to demonstrating in flight a technology that could reduce the weight of rocket tanks by 30 percent and cut costs by at least 25 percent.”

In other tests, the tank successfully maintained fuels at extremely low temperatures and operated at various pressures.

NASA said, “Engineers filled the tank with around 30,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen chilled to -423 degrees Fahrenheit, and repeatedly cycled the pressure between 20 to 53 pounds per square inch -- the pressure limit set for the tests.”

The project is part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use in NASA's future missions.

“Next-generation technologies including composite systems have the potential to make rockets, including NASA’s Space Launch System -- a deep space rocket being developed at Marshall -- more capable and affordable”, the space agency informed.

“This is one of NASA’s major technology accomplishments for 2014,” said Michael Gazarik, NASA’s associate administrator for Space Technology.

“This is the type of technology that can improve competitiveness for the entire US launch industry. These tests, and others we have conducted this year on landing technologies for Mars vehicles, show how technology development is the key to driving innovation”, he added
The composite rocket fuel tank built by Boeing Company arrived at Marshall Space Flight Center aboard NASA's Super Guppy airplane. (AR)

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