Cryogenic LOX tank technology available for industrial apps - July 2006

Scorpius Space Launch Company (SSLC, El Segundo, Calif.), a full service launch and aerospace manufacturing firm in El Segundo, California, announced on July 19 the successful completion of final qualification tests on the full-scale, all-composite cryogenic LOX tank for the Sprite Small Launch Vehicle. Microcosm Inc. (El Segundo, Calif.), designer of the launch vehicle, and under contract by SSLC, successfully tested a 42-inch diameter all-composite liquid oxygen (LOX) tank to nearly 4 times its operating pressure of 550psi. Testing was done at cryogenic temperatures using liquid nitrogen. The work was done as part of the technology development program for the Scorpius family of low-cost, responsive launch vehicles. The 42-inch composite tanks will be used by SSLC on both its Sprite orbital vehicles and SR-M sub-orbital vehicles.


Scorpius cryogenic
The qualification program included testing of 10-inch and 25-inch subscale tanks which performed to comparable levels. Commenting on the successful tests, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Jack Kulpa, CEO & president of SSLC, said, "We are extremely pleased with the exceptional performance of the Sprite LOX tanks. This advance has come about due to new manufacturing approaches by Microcosm and new materials technology from CTD (Composite Technology Development, Lafayette, Colo.). We are grateful to both organizations for their pioneering work that is also scalable to much larger tanks and launch vehicles. In addition to using these tanks on Scorpius launch vehicles, we will offer this technology as PRESSURMAXX products in a range of sizes as well as custom-made pressure vessels for industrial applications where ultra-high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, or cryogenic performance is important. The technology offers distinct advantages for a range of other applications such as mobile tanking systems, CNG transport and storage, pressurized propellant systems and aircraft cooling among many others."

PRESSURMAXX tanks conform to ASME standards and their liner-less design reduces cost and weight by over 60 percent compared to metal tanks. They also offer significant advantages over metal or metal-lined tanks, where fatigue characteristics and separation issues of the liner materials can compromise operations. This superior performance profile is expected to benefit many applications such as marine, oil and gas, chemical and pharmaceutical processing, and textile and aper mills.

Scorpius Space Launch Company, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 as a spin-off company of Microcosm Inc. with the distinct mandate to specialize in producing low cost space launch vehicles, and provide affordable on-demand space launch services. SSLC draws on substantial know-how from the parent company, which has been specializing in reducing space mission cost since 1984 with specific expertise in designing commercial, military, and scientific missions from small, low-cost programs to multi-billion dollar, multi-satellite constellations and a family of launch vehicles. While Microcosm provides the technology development, SSLC joins the commitment by providing the "3R" dedication: Responsive, Reliable and Reduced cost launch missions.

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