A report proposes a system that would supply gas for inflating one or more inflatable structure(s) in outer space. The system would include a small tank of helium for initial inflation, plus a catalytic hydrazine gas generator that would supply makeup gas over the long term. After initial inflation, when makeup gas was needed, liquid hydrazine from a tank would be made to pass through a catalytic bed, where it would become decomposed into a mixture of N2, H2, and a small amount of NH3. This gaseous mixture would constitute the makeup gas and would be stored in the tank that previously contained the helium. The makeup gas would be released from the tank to the structure(s) as needed. In comparison with an inflation system based only on compressed gas stored in tanks, the proposed inflation system would offer the advantage of lower mass: About 25 percent of the masses of representative previously contemplated large inflatable outer-space structures would have been contained in their inflation systems. In contrast, the mass of the proposed inflation system has been estimated to be only about 13 percent of the total mass of a representative structure.
This work was done by Larry Roe of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To obtain a copy of the report, "System For Initial Inflation and Replacement Gas For Inflatable Space Structures," access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Mechanics & Automation category.
NPO-20539
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Gas Generator for Inflating Structures in Outer Space
(reference NPO-20539) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document appears to be a technical report related to low-mass inflation systems developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) under a contract with NASA. While specific details are limited, the report likely discusses innovative approaches to gas generation and inflation mechanisms for structures used in space exploration.
Key highlights include:
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Low-Mass Inflation Systems: The report focuses on the development of inflation systems that are lightweight, which is crucial for space applications where every gram counts. These systems are designed to inflate structures such as habitats, antennas, or other equipment deployed in space.
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Gas Generation Mechanism: A notable feature of the system is the combination of a small helium tank for initial inflation and a catalytic hydrazine gas generator for sustained gas supply. This dual approach allows for a significant reduction in the overall mass of the inflation system compared to traditional methods, which often rely on larger, heavier gas tanks.
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Technical Disclosure: The document includes a technical disclosure section that likely provides a detailed description and explanation of the system's design, functionality, and potential applications. This section may also outline the engineering challenges addressed during the development process.
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Commercial Implications: The report includes a disclaimer stating that references to specific commercial products or services do not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government or JPL. This suggests that while the technology may have commercial applications, the report is primarily focused on its scientific and engineering merits.
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Potential Applications: The advancements in low-mass inflation systems could have significant implications for future space missions, particularly those involving inflatable habitats or structures that require efficient and reliable inflation mechanisms.
Overall, the document presents a promising advancement in the field of space technology, emphasizing the importance of reducing mass in inflation systems to enhance the feasibility of inflatable structures in space exploration. The innovative combination of helium and hydrazine gas generation represents a significant step forward in the design of lightweight, efficient systems for future missions.
