Automated propellant loading operations for responsive space

The Space Force has an expressed need to support Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) operations including rapid processing and launch of spacecraft, including a need to greatly reduce the cycle time, cost, and risk of the spacecraft fueling processes. SpaceRig plans to develop a spacecraft fueling cart that is propellant agnostic and capable of setup and teardown in <1h and that can achieve flow rates only limited by the physics of safety of the spacecraft and chosen fuel. Spacecraftápropellant loadingástations currentlyálocatedáat major launch sites are highly propellant-dependent, highlyámanual andáwereáestablishedámany decades ago. Propellant loadingáoperations are, as a result,ávery expensive,áand require significant amounts of processing time, including the time and efforts of highly specialized personnel.áChanges in the operational tempo of launches and mission integration (currently breaking annual records) have increased the need for more automated propellant loading operations. Moreover, increased deployment of high maneuver space vehicles (which inherently require elevated volumes of propellants) has increased the need for safer, faster and less resource intensive methods of propellant loading. Space Rig SystemsáInc.á(ôSpaceRigö)áhasáidentified improvements that can be madeátoálaunch-site loadingáoperations without modification to existing infrastructures. Our approacháimprovesásafety while reducing loading times and increasing access to new green propellants.á Using flight-proven electric gear pumps developed by Flight Works, Inc. of Irvine, CA,áSpaceRig, plans to develop a commercially available Ĺgas station-likeö automated propellant loadingácart to augment and eventually supplant legacy systems.áThe propellant loadingácart design is propellant-agnosticá(supporting a variety of propellants, including hydrazine, MMH, NTO, AF-M315E, LMP-103s)áand simplifies post-fueling decontamination procedures.á The cart performs propellant loading operations witháminimalápersonneláináthe vicinity,áreducingáriskáand cost.áAutomated leak and fire suppression handle most failure scenarios, reducing risk to personnel and hardware.áPost-loading procedures reduce the amount of decontaminationárequiredáand minimize personnel exposure to propellants. De-tanking operationsáare also automated, enabling fully remote and sequentialáloadingáand unloading of propellants.áá