Development of flight weight insulation systems for long-term storage of cryogenic fluids in space has progressed beyond the laboratory stage. The paper reports the results of scale model tests of different insulation concepts. The effects of simulating the vibration, acoustic, and acceleration environments of a Saturn vehicle are discussed. All tests were conducted with the tanks charged with liquid hydrogen. Any change in thermal effectiveness of the insulation was determined by measuring hydrogen boiloff rates via vacuum chamber tests, before and after the mechanical environment tests. Lockheed has determined by mechanical tests that conventional mechanical fastener techniques can be used to attach 'super-insulation' to cryogenic storage vessels. The insulations tested encountered no damage during mechanical environment tests. (Author)
Structural-Environmental Tests on Multilayer Insulation for Cryogenic Space Vehicles
1966
2 pages
Report
No indication
English