Satellite propulsion composite tanks for Space Shuttle applications
Abstract
A study has been carried out in order to define and optimize composite tank designs for Shuttle-optimized spacecraft propulsion subsystems. The tank/structure configurations investigated include: (1) simple spherical, elliptical, and cylindrical tanks (each tank and primary structure are independent); (2) compound or nested tanks (adjacent tanks share a common bulkhead, but the tanks and primary structures are independent); and (3) integrated tanks (tanks and primary structures are integrated and interdependent). Analysis and design, materials, weight tradeoffs, propellant management devices, safety issues, and test results are briefly discussed.
- Publication:
-
In: Advances in composite materials; Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Composite Materials
- Pub Date:
- 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980acm.....2.1439S
- Keywords:
-
- Composite Structures;
- Propellant Tanks;
- Space Shuttles;
- Spacecraft Structures;
- Structural Design Criteria;
- Cylindrical Tanks;
- Fracture Mechanics;
- Honeycomb Structures;
- Pressure Vessels;
- Propulsion System Configurations;
- Safety Factors;
- Space Commercialization;
- Spacecraft Propulsion;
- Spherical Tanks;
- Weight Reduction;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles