Candidate must be a junior, senior, or graduate level student with knowledge in Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat Transfer. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Matlab, and Python is required, along with numerical techniques and basic statistics. US citizenship is a must.

The candidate will assist in developing and validating models for cryogenic propellant transfer, predicting pressurization system performance, chilldown of transfer lines, and contributing to the design and analysis of cryogenic tank-to-tank transfer experiments. The goal is to develop accurate tools for future cryogenic propellant transfer systems.

Engineering

United States

Cleveland

Fortune 500

For more than 60 years, NASA has been breaking barriers to achieve the seemingly impossible—from walking on the Moon to pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight farther than ever before. We work in space and around the world in laboratories and wind tunnels, on airfields and in control rooms to explore some of life’s fundamental mysteries: What’s out there in space? How do we get there? And what can we learn that will make life better here on Earth?We are passionate professionals united by a common purpose: to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research. Today, we continue NASA’s legacy of excellence and innovation through an unprecedented array of missions. We are developing the most advanced rockets and spacecraft ever designed, studying the Earth for answers to critical challenges facing our planet, improving the air transportation experience, and so much more.Join us as we reach for new heights and reveal the unknown for the benefit of humanity.

Defence & Aerospace

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Aerospace

<ul><li>NASA maintains a strong desire to develop technology that will enable future in-space cryogenic propulsion systems. Of interest in the current project is the role of boiling heat transfer during cryogenic propellant storage and transfer. Due to the low normal boiling point of all cryogens, they are particularly susceptible to boiling heat transfer. For example, during propellant tank chilldown, fluid that comes in contact with the hot tank walls will boil vigorously. Meanwhile, in microgravity where the liquid vapor interface inside the tank is unknown, tank fill must be done with the vent valve closed to avoid venting liquid. The combination of cryogenic fluid and large temperature differences between liquid and tank imply that there will be complex flow boiling, heat transfer, and two-phase flow patterns.</li><li>Accurate, reliable cryogenic fluid based models are thus desired to design, size, and analyze NASA’s future cryogenic propulsion system architectures. The penalty for poor models results in higher safety margin (size depot larger to carry more propellant), higher safety factor (more insulation needed, which increases launch vehicle mass), and higher cost. Current models used in thermal design codes are based on room temperature fluids, and not backed by cryogenic data.</li><li>Furthermore, NASA is developing a zero gravity testbed to prove out tank chilldown and fill injection methods and chilldown methods. This flight rig is currently being designed.</li></ul>

Undergraduate

Final Year

Masters

NASA maintains a strong desire to develop technology that will enable future in-space cryogenic propulsion systems. Of interest in the current project is the role of boiling heat transfer during cryogenic propellant storage and transfer. Due to the low normal boiling point of all cryogens, they are particularly susceptible to boiling heat transfer. For example, during propellant tank chilldown, fluid that comes in contact with the hot tank walls will boil vigorously. Meanwhile, in microgravity where the liquid vapor interface inside the tank is unknown, tank fill must be done with the vent valve closed to avoid venting liquid. The combination of cryogenic fluid and large temperature differences between liquid and tank imply that there will be complex flow boiling, heat transfer, and two-phase flow patterns.Accurate, reliable cryogenic fluid based models are thus desired to design, size, and analyze NASA’s future cryogenic propulsion system architectures. The penalty for poor models results in higher safety margin (size depot larger to carry more propellant), higher safety factor (more insulation needed, which increases launch vehicle mass), and higher cost. Current models used in thermal design codes are based on room temperature fluids, and not backed by cryogenic data.Furthermore, NASA is developing a zero gravity testbed to prove out tank chilldown and fill injection methods and chilldown methods. This flight rig is currently being designed.

FA24 Cryogenic Propellant Transfer

Requirements

Responsibilities

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Mission & Purpose