Engineering topics

Fester, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Fester, D..

2 records

NASA NTRS1984

Earth-to-orbit propellant transportation overview

The transportation of large quantities of cryogenic propellants which are needed to support Space Station/OTV operation is discussed. Two ways to send propellants into space are: transporting them in dedicated tankers or scavenging unused STS propellant. Scavenging propellant, both with and without an aft cargo carrier system is examined. An average of two to four flights per year can be saved by scavenging and manifesting propellant as payload. Addition of an aft cargo carrier permits loading closer to maximum, reduces the required number of flights, and reduces the propellant available for scavenging. Sufficient propellant remains, however, for OTV needs.

Fester, D.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Fluid management

The Fluid Management Panel's assessment of the technology is summarized. Since a baseline space station was not defined as a reference guide and the results of the eight contracted space station studies were not available as input, the assessment focused on technology and not programmatics. The ground rules that were key to the deliberations and guided the assessment are: (1) The space station will be operational in 1991, and (2) A space-based OTV will be operational in 1992. Thus, the capability to transport, transfer, and resupply all fluids, including those for the OTV, is required in the initial space station. The only evolutionary aspect is the refinement of capability. Fluid management includes fluid transport to orbit, liquid storage/supply, fluid transfer/resupply, and integral thermal control.

Fester, D.↗