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Reliable, Efficient, Lightweight Cryocooler for ISRU

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: N/A
Agency Tracking Number: 990964
Amount: $0.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2001
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
P.O. Box 71, Etna Road
Hanover, NH 03755
United States
DUNS: 072021041
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Dr. Izenson
 Principal Engineer
 () -
 mgi@creare.com
Business Contact
 James Block
Title: President
Phone: (603) 643-3800
Email: jab@creare.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Future planetary exploration missions will require technology for In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) to minimize launch mass, risk, and cost. We propose an innovative cryocooler for in-situ separation of gases and production of cryogens. Key applications will be production and storage of liquid oxygen needed as propellant oxidizer, liquid oxygen supply for EVA suits for Mars exploration, and condensation of water vapor from the Martian atmosphere. The cryocooler uses an innovative thermodynamic cycle to achieve very high efficiency and an innovative, diaphragm compressor for ultra-high reliability. In Phase I we will prove the feasibility of this cryocooler by (1) demonstrating operation of critical components, (2) optimizing the thermodynamic cycle, and (3) producing a conceptual design and calculating the expected performance of the cryocooler. In Phase II we will produce and test a prototype cryocooler.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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