Cryo-Laboratory for the Investigation of Propellant Behaviour and Development of Propellant Management Technologies

Abstract

Global space business is currently undergoing major changes due to increasing industrialization, new and fastgrowing space nations, and privatization (NewSpace). The goal for Europe is to face the new challenges of the market and to secure independent access to space. High performance propulsion systems operated by cryogenic propellants are the basis for this. Cryogenic propellants have an unrivalled high specific impulse, which is a measure of the propellant/engine efficiency. Future space missions envisage missions with multiple re-ignitions and long ballistic flight phases. In addition, it will be an option to deposit propellant in orbit. The propellant depots can then be used by transfer stages or so-called space tugs, thus enabling the next step in space transport. One key for a competitive and successful space system is the intelligent and efficient propellant handling. To develop and test new technologies the DLR established a Cryo-Lab at the Institute of Space Systems in Bremen. In the Cryo-Lab cold tests with liquid hydrogen, liquid methane, liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen are feasible. The paper presents the test facilities of the laboratory, as well as test results on selected examples.