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Purge Monitoring Technology for Gaseous Helium (GHe) ConservationJohn C. Stennis Space Center provides rocket engine propulsion testing for the NASA space programs. Since the development of the Space Shuttle, every Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) has gone through acceptance testing before going to Kennedy Space Center for integration into the Space Shuttle. The SSME is a large cryogenic rocket engine that used Liquid Oxygen (LO2) and Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) as propellants. Due to the extremely cold cryogenic conditions of this environment, an inert gas, helium, is used as a purge for the engine and propellant lines since it can be used without freezing in the cryogenic environment. As NASA moves forward with the development of the new ARES V launch system, the main engines as well as the upper stage engine will use cryogenic propellants and will require gaseous helium during the development testing of each of these engines. The main engine for the ARES V will be similar in size to the SSME.
Document ID
20100027537
Acquisition Source
Stennis Space Center
Document Type
Other - NASA Tech Brief
External Source(s)
http://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/7174
Authors
Dickey, Jonathan (NASA Stennis Space Center Stennis Space Center, MS, United States)
Lansaw, John (University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 2010
Publication Information
Publication: NASA Tech Briefs
Volume: 34
Issue: 2
Subject Category
Propellants And Fuels
Report/Patent Number
NP-2010-02-00176-SSC
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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