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Andrews Space Delivers Composite Liquid Oxygen Tank To AFRL
Cape Canaveral FL (SPX) Jul 23, 2009 Andrews Space has delivered a 48 inch diameter composite liquid oxygen (LOX) tank to the United States Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to demonstrate technologies for reusable launch vehicle airframe structures. The Pathfinder experiment is being conducted under AFRL's Future-Responsive Access to Space Technologies (FAST) Program. Andrews delivered the tank under contract FA8650-06-C-7615 and worked in conjunction with the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), who served as Prime on the Project. The Pathfinder experiment utilizes a test fixture and composite cryogenic LOX tank with integrated air frame structural support members. The goal of the program is to better understand the capabilities of composite cryogenic tanks and to develop methods to predict failure modes in these tanks. To accomplish that goal, the LOX tank, which measures 48 inches in diameter and 105 inches in length, will be subjected to flight loads under a range of thermal conditions. Testing will occur over the next several months at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The testing will be used to evaluate material properties and expand the operational database on composite cryogenic tanks, which supports the development of responsive launch capabilities under the US Air Force Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) program. The full-scale tank testing builds on subscale testing performed at Andrews' facility near Seattle, WA in 2008. Andrews used the subscale testing results to verify its analytical models, update its design for the full-scale tank, and establish test criteria. Microcosm Inc., a supplier to Andrews, fabricated the full-scale tank. "We are honored that the Air Force Research Lab selected Andrews to partner on the FAST Pathfinder tank technology program," said Jason Andrews, President of Andrews Space. "The test data generated will lead to a new era of lower cost space transportation." Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Andrews Space Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com
NASA Ares I First Stage Motor To be Tested August 25Promontory UT (SPX) Jul 22, 2009 NASA and ATK unveil the completed Ares I first stage five-segment solid rocket booster in Promontory, Utah. The completed solid rocket booster is now installed horizontally in a test stand that was modified from the space shuttle's four-segment configuration to fit the new five-segment Ares I booster. Instrumentation will be installed over the next month in preparation for the first major ... read more |
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