Development of a new MLI for orbital cryogenic propulsion systems -thermal performance under one atmosphere to a vacuum
Abstract
The efficient storage of cryogenic propellants is among the key technologies for long-duration space exploration missions. For the orbital transfer vehicle, the required thermal insulation performance is more than ten times higher than that of conventional spray-on foam insulation. Conventional multi-layer insulation blankets are used as excellent insulation for spacecraft in the vacuum environment, but are not usable in the atmospheric environment. A new type of insulation-a load-bearing, non-interlayer-contact spacer MLI (LB-NICS MLI)-has been developed. The insulation performance in both air and vacuum environments is measured with a boil-off calorimeter. According to the test results, LB-NICS MLI is about 3 times superior under 1 atmosphere and 13 times superior under a vacuum, compared to foam insulation.
- Publication:
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Materials Science and Engineering Conference Series
- Pub Date:
- April 2019
- DOI:
- 10.1088/1757-899X/502/1/012062
- Bibcode:
- 2019MS&E..502a2062M