Home >> Tech Briefs >> Mechanics & Machinery >> Using Drained Spacecraft Propellant Tanks for Habitation

Using Drained Spacecraft Propellant Tanks for Habitation

advertisement:

A document proposes that future spacecraft for planetary and space exploration be designed to enable reuse of drained propellant tanks for occupancy by humans. This proposal would enable utilization of volume and mass that would otherwise be unavailable and, in some cases, discarded. Such utilization could enable reductions in cost, initial launch mass, and number of launches needed to build up a habitable outpost in orbit about, or on the surface of, a planet or moon. According to the proposal, the large propellant tanks of a spacecraft would be configured to enable crews to gain access to their interiors.

Viewing entire briefs requires login/registration. Registration is free and easy to complete. If you're already registered with Tech Briefs, simply login at the top of the page.

>> Trending this Month

>> Newsletter

Subscribe today to receive the INSIDER, a FREE e-mail newsletter from NASA Tech Briefs featuring exclusive previews of upcoming articles, late breaking NASA and industry news, hot products and design ideas, links to online resources, and much more.

Sign up now >>