Review and Prospect for the Resupply Technology of Cryogenic Liquid Propellants on Orbit

Abstract

The resupply technology of cryogenic liquid propellants under microgravity condition is a key to construct an infrastructure of future space transportation system. This paper presents an overview of Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM) under microgravity, which is the base of this technology. In addition, some experiments on forced convective boiling of the cryogenic fluid, which was conducted by the author's group, is described. Through this experiments, some points to which we should pay attention for drop experiments, such as pressure limit, flow rate measurement and experimental time limit, are also described. Outline of experimental project, which will be conducted by the author's group, is presented.