Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has been providing support for The NASA Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) to demonstrate the in-space performance of AF-M315E monopropellant. Developed by AFRL, AF-M315E provides a higher energy density than hydrazine. AFRL support activities include: leading the definition of propellant load operations, aging of propellant tank coupons to enable propellant tank flight qualification, materials compatability verification, and establishment of an AF-M315E MIL SPEC. The initial approach for propellant load was to mimic the legacy hydrazine operations ground support equipment and procedures developed over decades and take advantage of the decreased hazards of AF-M315E where practical. The legacy hydrazine design relied on a pressurized system to transfer propellant from a bulk propellant tank into a spacecraft tank. It also called for the transfer of propellant from a large transport container into a specialized container that was integral to the loading system. A pump-fed design was chosen for AF-M315E operations to simplify design, minimize contamination risk, and enable greater precision. The final design comprises 4 propellant load discrete functional components on carts with each performing a unique task essential to the propellant loading campaign. These four carts, collectively referred to hereafter as Propellant load Ground Support Equipment (PGSE) are: the propellant load cart (PLC), the dry side tank cart (DSTC), the propellant detank cart (PDC), and the service valve manifold (SVM). The design and operations are subject to requirements from the Air Force Space Command Manual (AFSPCMAN) 91-710.In order to launch pressurized propellant tanks on a spacecraft or satellite, a fracture mechanics analysis is required to verify the safe design life of the pressure vessel in service. Fracture mechanics is the study of the influence of loading, crack size, and structural geometry on the fracture resistance of materials
Summary of Air Force Research Laboratory Support for the NASA Green Propellant Infusion Mission
2015
7 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Rocket Propellants , Space Launch Vehicles & Support Equipment , Monopropellants , Compatibility , Ground support equipment , Safety , Gpim(green propellant infusion mission) , Af-m315e propellant , Fracture mechanics analyses , Materials compatability verification , Pgse(propellant ground support equipment) , Wuafrlq0d5