Internal Cryogenic Insulation for LH2 Tanks of Future Launchers

Date

2016-07-10

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

46th International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

AIRBUS DS Bremen is currently performing a development of a cryogenic insulation, called Inner Wetted Thermal Insulation (IWTI) for use inside LH2 tanks of future launchers.

At the time being the maturation is done within an ESA programme aiming for a technology readiness level of 4.

Until TRL 3 the foam basic material has been developed and down-selected to the most appropriate ones for this application. The chemical composition and structure as well as the cell morphology have been frozen. Parameters for manufacturing at lab scale have been investigated in a very detail and have been preliminarily fixed.

Comprehensive characterization/qualification has been done for LN2 and partly for LH2 conditions for physical, mechanical and thermal properties. All the measurements and tests performed so far exhibit excellent and promising results. In the current TRL 4 maturation phase the insulation concept is established incorporating such components/aspects as LH2 barriers, substructure fixation and NDI methods.

Detailed characterization/qualification under LN2 and LH2 condition is currently performed on sample and building block level.

This paper reviews the status achieved so far for the IWTI and provides an overview about the activities currently on-going and such planned for the near future.

Description

Germany
Latvia
Airbus DS GmbH
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry
104
ICES104: Advances in Thermal Control Technology
Vienna, Austria
The 46th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Vienna, Austria, USA on 10 July 2016 through 14 July 2016.
Wolfgang P.P. Fischer, Airbus Defence & Space Systems, Germany
Antje Laabs, Airbus Defence & Space Systems, Germany
Ugis Cabulis, Airbus Defence & Space Systems, Germany
Vladimir Yakushin, Airbus Defence & Space Systems, Germany
The 46th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Vienna, Austria, USA on 10 July 2016 through 14 July 2016.

Keywords

Cryogenic Insulation, LH2 tank, future launcher, LH2 barrier

Citation