Technology
Cryospace
Enhancing Cryogenic Propellant Handling for Space Missions
CRYSALIS will develop and mature the technologies needed for the management of cryogenic propellant for future space transportation and in-orbit servicing activities. This maturation will include performing a small-scale in-orbit demonstration flown on-board the Nyx capsule.. This will be a closed-system demonstrator, which will aim to not only demonstrate the feasibility of such processes but will aim to improve the understanding of the behaviour of cryogenic propellants in microgravity, allowing for development of future systems.
These technologies will aid in ensuring the independent access of the EU to space, in particular to manned and heavy missions beyond GEO and LEO, by supporting the development of a logistical network of craft, depots, and hubs, required for cis-lunar and future Martian missions. By reducing the amount of fuel initially transported from Earth’s surface, this approach would enable more extensive and prolonged space missions.
Cryospace
Enhancing Cryogenic Propellant Handling
for Space Missions
Enhancing Cryogenic Propellant
Handling
for Space Missions
CRYSALIS will develop and mature the technologies needed for the management of cryogenic propellant for future space transportation and in-orbit servicing activities. This maturation will include performing a small-scale in-orbit demonstration flown on-board the Nyx capsule.. This will be a closed-system demonstrator, which will aim to not only demonstrate the feasibility of such processes but will aim to improve the understanding of the behaviour of cryogenic propellants in microgravity, allowing for development of future systems.
These technologies will aid in ensuring the independent access of the EU to space, in particular to manned and heavy missions beyond GEO and LEO, by supporting the development of a logistical network of craft, depots, and hubs, required for cis-lunar and future Martian missions. By reducing the amount of fuel initially transported from Earth’s surface, this approach would enable more extensive and prolonged space missions.
Space cryogenics
Enhancing Cryogenic Propellant Handling for Space Missions
Enhancing Cryogenic Propellant Handling for Space Missions
CRYSALIS will develop and mature the technologies needed for the management of cryogenic propellant for future space transportation and in-orbit servicing activities. This maturation will include performing a small-scale in-orbit demonstration flown on-board the Nyx capsule.. This will be a closed-system demonstrator, which will aim to not only demonstrate the feasibility of such processes but will aim to improve the understanding of the behaviour of cryogenic propellants in microgravity, allowing for development of future systems.
CRYSALIS will develop and mature the technologies needed for the management of cryogenic propellant for future space transportation and in-orbit servicing activities. This maturation will include performing a small-scale in-orbit demonstration flown on-board the Nyx capsule.. This will be a closed-system demonstrator, which will aim to not only demonstrate the feasibility of such processes but will aim to improve the understanding of the behaviour of cryogenic propellants in microgravity, allowing for development of future systems.
These technologies will aid in ensuring the independent access of the EU to space, in particular to manned and heavy missions beyond GEO and LEO, by supporting the development of a logistical network of craft, depots, and hubs, required for cis-lunar and future Martian missions. By reducing the amount of fuel initially transported from Earth’s surface, this approach would enable more extensive and prolonged space missions.
Cryospace
Enhancing Cryogenic Propellant Handling
for Space Missions
Enhancing Cryogenic Propellant
Handling
for Space Missions
CRYSALIS will develop and mature the technologies needed for the management of cryogenic propellant for future space transportation and in-orbit servicing activities. This maturation will include performing a small-scale in-orbit demonstration flown on-board the Nyx capsule.. This will be a closed-system demonstrator, which will aim to not only demonstrate the feasibility of such processes but will aim to improve the understanding of the behaviour of cryogenic propellants in microgravity, allowing for development of future systems.
These technologies will aid in ensuring the independent access of the EU to space, in particular to manned and heavy missions beyond GEO and LEO, by supporting the development of a logistical network of craft, depots, and hubs, required for cis-lunar and future Martian missions. By reducing the amount of fuel initially transported from Earth’s surface, this approach would enable more extensive and prolonged space missions.
CRYOGENIC PROPELLANTS
Pioneering Space Exploration
with Coolant and Fuel
Traditionally hydrazine has been used for long term orbital missions, but due to its toxic nature, Europe is making the move towards the use of greener cryogenic propellants. Cryogenic propellant combinations such as LOX/LCH4 and LOX/LH2 offer much higher performances than storable alternatives and are compatible with ISRU on Mars and the Moon.
However, the low saturation temperatures of cryogenic propellants and the lack of clear separation between the gas and liquid phases in a microgravity environment, make their management difficult. CRYSALIS aims to address these additional challenges to make ZBO (Zero Boil-Off) long-term storage and lossless filling possible.
The CRYSALIS demonstrations will be performed with LN2, to mature the technologies needed for LOX / LCH4 applications.
CRYOGENIC PROPELLANTS
Pioneering Space Exploration with cryogenic propellant
Pioneering Space Exploration with cryogenic propellant
Traditionally hydrazine has been used for long term orbital missions, but due to its toxic nature, Europe is making the move towards the use of greener cryogenic propellants. Cryogenic propellant combinations such as LOX/LCH4 and LOX/LH2 offer much higher performances than storable alternatives and are compatible with ISRU on Mars and the Moon.
However, the low saturation temperatures of cryogenic propellants and the lack of clear separation between the gas and liquid phases in a microgravity environment, make their management difficult. CRYSALIS aims to address these additional challenges to make ZBO (Zero Boil-Off) long-term storage and lossless filling possible.
The CRYSALIS demonstrations will be performed with LN2, to mature the technologies needed for LOX / LCH4 applications.
CRYOGENIC PROPELLANTS
Pioneering Space Exploration with cryogenic propellant
Traditionally hydrazine has been used for long term orbital missions, but due to its toxic nature, Europe is making the move towards the use of greener cryogenic propellants. Cryogenic propellant combinations such as LOX/LCH4 and LOX/LH2 offer much higher performances than storable alternatives and are compatible with ISRU on Mars and the Moon.
However, the low saturation temperatures of cryogenic propellants and the lack of clear separation between the gas and liquid phases in a microgravity environment, make their management difficult. CRYSALIS aims to address these additional challenges to make ZBO (Zero Boil-Off) long-term storage and lossless filling possible.
The CRYSALIS demonstrations will be performed with LN2, to mature the technologies needed for LOX / LCH4 applications.
acoustic
Cryogenic propellant optimization
The project aims to demonstrate the use of acoustic techniques to measure cryogenic propellant mass in microgravity. Traditional mass gauging technologies lack the necessary accuracy for use in tanks they are repeatedly refilled, so alternatives such as acoustic methods are necessary.
Acoustic systems can also be used for cryogenic propellant management, by controlling the positions of bubbles to reduce boil-off, and aiding in the phase separation during settling. CRYSALIS aims to showcase the transformative potential of acoustic tech in managing cryogenic propellants for space missions.
Vehicle
Modular Orbital
Transport
The Exploration Company develops, manufactures, and operates Nyx, a modular and reusable orbital vehicle, designed to service low earth orbits (LEO) and lunar destinations. It will initially carry cargo, with the growth potential to fly humans afterwards. While early versions are designed to use storable cryogenic propellants, future versions are planned to be cryogenic and refuellable, making Nyx not only the flight platform for CRYSALIS, but also the reference use case fore the technologies.
Target Applications
Missions to Mars
and the Moon:
and the Moon:
Increased mission size and duration – as cryogenic propellant and spacecraft can be launched separately
Use of cryogenic propellants manufactured on Mars / Moon – reducing the amount of cryogenic propellant to be transported from Earth
Refuelling debris collectors:
There’s a lot of debris in orbit that needs to be cleaned up. Disposable collectors are not a sustainable solution, so refuelling is necessary.
There’s a lot of debris in orbit that needs to be cleaned up. Disposable collectors are not a sustainable solution, so refuelling is necessary.
Advantages
- New opportunities for space exploration: in-orbit transport, long-duration missions, in-orbit storage.
- Increasing size and duration of missions to Mars and the Moon
- Development of services in space
