When considering the space station, trips to Mars, the Moon, the Sun or other locations in our vast Universe, refueling rockets, satellites and spacecraft can often be a difficult task. For this reason, a depot which contains back up fuel has been placed near earth or other locations in space. While this is the case, there are new concepts being developed and designed with regards to in orbit refueling.
Without having fuel available in different areas of orbit, space exploration and travel will continue to be somewhat limited. Whereas, if these resources were made available in multiple locations in the infrastructure, all types of space exploration and travel would most likely become more prevalent. Different types of depots being necessary for different types of vehicles have prevented the concepts from reaching the design, development and deployment phase.
The various types of depots include on location, or a tanker which can deliver a single load to a spacecraft while at a specific location in orbit, then depart. In most concepts and designs, in-space fuel depots do not necessarily have to be positioned at or near a space station.
Several space agencies, defense ministries, communication satellites and commercial companies such as Virgin could eventually benefit from these in-orbit storage and refilling facilities. Whereas, the life of satellites could be extended which would result in the time those satellites spend in geosynchronous orbit. As a result, space agencies have the ability to save a great deal of time, money and other resources if and when this type of refueling becomes a reality.
While there had been some plans developed in the past with regards to satellite refueling, the transfer plans were totally scrapped after having been delivered to a number of space agencies. While this is the case, those agencies and others are exited about these new concepts and hopeful that at least some, if not all will come to fruition.
As a fraction or all of a transfer stage fuel could be deployed, separately launched spacecraft with a payload or crew could cover a larger area or allow the use of a smaller launch vehicle. Whereas, with a tanker fill or LEO depot, the launch vehicle size could be reduced while increasing flight rates. In doing so, this would also cut the cost of a number of missions whether or not a crew is involved.
These new concepts also suggest that a certain type of depot could be placed behind the moon to assist in reducing the cost of trips to Mars, the Moon, the Sun or other locations. While, others suggest that placing one in the orbit of Mars could also be beneficial in this manner. For, flight crews can only assure a safe return when it is evident that there will be enough fuel for a round trip, or when refueling in space is possible.
Fuel tanks in spacecraft and rockets usually take up more than half of the total mass of the vehicle. Whereas, larger engines in rockets often need to use fuel such as liquid oxygen or hydrogen as an oxidizer due to possible impulse. While this is the case, the transfer of fuel must be done with extreme cautionary measures. For, the risk of boil off is greater with these fuel types than others.
Without having fuel available in different areas of orbit, space exploration and travel will continue to be somewhat limited. Whereas, if these resources were made available in multiple locations in the infrastructure, all types of space exploration and travel would most likely become more prevalent. Different types of depots being necessary for different types of vehicles have prevented the concepts from reaching the design, development and deployment phase.
The various types of depots include on location, or a tanker which can deliver a single load to a spacecraft while at a specific location in orbit, then depart. In most concepts and designs, in-space fuel depots do not necessarily have to be positioned at or near a space station.
Several space agencies, defense ministries, communication satellites and commercial companies such as Virgin could eventually benefit from these in-orbit storage and refilling facilities. Whereas, the life of satellites could be extended which would result in the time those satellites spend in geosynchronous orbit. As a result, space agencies have the ability to save a great deal of time, money and other resources if and when this type of refueling becomes a reality.
While there had been some plans developed in the past with regards to satellite refueling, the transfer plans were totally scrapped after having been delivered to a number of space agencies. While this is the case, those agencies and others are exited about these new concepts and hopeful that at least some, if not all will come to fruition.
As a fraction or all of a transfer stage fuel could be deployed, separately launched spacecraft with a payload or crew could cover a larger area or allow the use of a smaller launch vehicle. Whereas, with a tanker fill or LEO depot, the launch vehicle size could be reduced while increasing flight rates. In doing so, this would also cut the cost of a number of missions whether or not a crew is involved.
These new concepts also suggest that a certain type of depot could be placed behind the moon to assist in reducing the cost of trips to Mars, the Moon, the Sun or other locations. While, others suggest that placing one in the orbit of Mars could also be beneficial in this manner. For, flight crews can only assure a safe return when it is evident that there will be enough fuel for a round trip, or when refueling in space is possible.
Fuel tanks in spacecraft and rockets usually take up more than half of the total mass of the vehicle. Whereas, larger engines in rockets often need to use fuel such as liquid oxygen or hydrogen as an oxidizer due to possible impulse. While this is the case, the transfer of fuel must be done with extreme cautionary measures. For, the risk of boil off is greater with these fuel types than others.
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