Reliable, Efficient, Lightweight Cryocooler for ISRU

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.