Using Drained Spacecraft Propellant Tanks for Habitation

TBMG-5445

07/01/2009

Abstract
Content

A document proposes that future spacecraft for planetary and space exploration be designed to enable reuse of drained propellant tanks for occupancy by humans. This proposal would enable utilization of volume and mass that would otherwise be unavailable and, in some cases, discarded. Such utilization could enable reductions in cost, initial launch mass, and number of launches needed to build up a habitable outpost in orbit about, or on the surface of, a planet or moon. According to the proposal, the large propellant tanks of a spacecraft would be configured to enable crews to gain access to their interiors.

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Citation
"Using Drained Spacecraft Propellant Tanks for Habitation," Mobility Engineering, July 1, 2009.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Jul 1, 2009
Product Code
TBMG-5445
Content Type
Magazine Article
Language
English