Zero Boil-Off Tank Noncondensables (ZBOT-NC)

Cylindrical metal scientific equipment with a clear window mounted in a spacecraft interior surrounded by cables and control panels.

ZBOT experiment equipment on the International Space Station to investigate fuel tank pressure control methods essential for Mars missions and deep space exploration.

Jack Fischer

Principal Investigator(s):

Mohammad Kassemi, Ph.D., National Center for Space Exploration Research (NCSER), Case Western Reserve University

Overview: Zero Boil-Off Tank Noncondensables (ZBOT-NC) investigates how noncondensable gases interfere with fuel storage systems in microgravity. The experiment studies how these gases affect evaporation and condensation processes in cryogenic fuel tanks, addressing a key challenge for achieving zero boil-off storage that prevents propellant loss during long-duration space missions.

Science objectives:

Study how noncondensable gases affect fuel evaporation and condensation processes in microgravity fuel tanks
Investigate how these gases affect pressure control systems that are important for long-duration space missions
Gather data to improve computer models used to design zero boil-off fuel storage systems for future spacecraft

Potential space applications:

May help engineers design more efficient fuel storage systems for Mars missions and other long-duration space travel
Could contribute to pressure control solutions that prevent fuel loss during extended deep space missions
Could inform development of future space fuel depots and refueling operations
May benefit scientific instruments on space telescopes and probes that rely on low temperatures for operation

Potential Earth applications:

Could improve tank design models for industrial, medical, and energy production applications that depend on long-term cryogenic storage
May support hydrogen-based energy systems that align with cleaner energy goals

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