The realisation of a new large, high-power and economically competitive communication satellite platform requires propellant tanks with minimum structural mass at maximum load capacity. The most promising design of such high-performance tank systems is based on carbon-fibre overwrapped titanium liners with a considerable mass reduction as compared to all-metallic tanks. The thin-walled titanium liner (minimum wall thickness 0.7 mm) provides propellant compatibility and leak tightness, while the overwrap supplies the main stiffness and strength of the tank. The completely over-wrapped liner can be connected to the satellite structure with an integrally wound CFRP skirt. Similar tank constructions are furthermore applicable for launcher upper stages.
Large light-weight overwrapped metallic tanks for spacecraft and launchers
2008
2 Seiten, 1 Bild
Conference paper
English
Large Light-Weight Overwrapped Metallic Tanks for Spacecraft and Launchers
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2008
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