Nitrous Oxide Boiler Development for the Dream Chaser® Spacecraft Thermal Control System
Date
2014-07-13
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
44th International Conference on Environmental Systems
Abstract
The Dream Chaser® human spacecraft utilizes excess nitrous oxide propulsion oxidizer as an evaporant to provide heat rejection for the vehicle’s Active Thermal Control System. This capability is provided by a nitrous oxide boiler, currently in development. Performance analysis and test results indicate that a heat exchanger boiling nitrous oxide with a propylene glycol/water coolant fluid can provide the required heat rejection for Dream Chaser while preventing freezing or incomplete phase transition in the boiler unit. Integration of nitrous oxide boiler technology will result in a net system mass savings.
Description
Tucson, Arizona
Jonathan G. Metts, Sierra Nevada Corporation, USA
Stephen W. Miller, Sierra Nevada Corporation, USA
Jeff Johnson, Orbital Technologies (ORBITEC), USA
Gregory Quinn, Hamilton-Sundstrand Space Systems International, USA
The 44th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Tuscon, Arizona, USA on 13 July 2014 through 17 July 2014.
Jonathan G. Metts, Sierra Nevada Corporation, USA
Stephen W. Miller, Sierra Nevada Corporation, USA
Jeff Johnson, Orbital Technologies (ORBITEC), USA
Gregory Quinn, Hamilton-Sundstrand Space Systems International, USA
The 44th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Tuscon, Arizona, USA on 13 July 2014 through 17 July 2014.