METHOD OF FILLING PROPELLANT TANK OF ROCKET-SPACE SYSTEM WITH LIQUID HYDROGEN

摘要

FIELD: methods of filling propellant tanks of rocket space system with liquid cryogenic components of propellant. ^ SUBSTANCE: method consists in filling the tank with liquid supercooled hydrogen to preset level. Then, temperature of liquid hydrogen contained in tank is equalized by delivery of liquid supercooled hydrogen to gas cushion of tank. Temperature equalization is performed simultaneously with pressurizing the tank with helium. Liquid supercooled hydrogen delivered to gas cushion is dispersed in gas cushion, thus cooling it to temperature at which density of helium exceeds density hydrogen vapor. These procedures make it possible to reduce thermal residue of hydrogen not taken from propellant tank upon completion of operation of power plant and to avoid sudden drop of pressure in gas cavity of propellant tank. ^ EFFECT: increased mass of payload; enhanced reliability of rocket-space system. ^ 1 dwg