Air Products wins multi-million dollar NASA contracts to supply liquid hydrogen to space facilities, with primary aim to support operations.
Here’s an article posted in Hydrogen Central.
According to the article,
- Air Products, a leading hydrogen producer, has won NASA contracts worth over $130 million to supply liquid hydrogen to various NASA facilities, including the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
- The contracts are a significant milestone for Air Products and a testament to its position as a key player in the energy transition and space exploration projects.
- The multi-year contracts include a maximum value of approximately $75 million for supplying liquid hydrogen to support operations at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Several initiatives are currently underway to incorporate liquid hydrogen into space missions, reflecting a growing interest in utilizing this versatile fuel for various applications. Here are some notable examples:
- Lunar Exploration and Human Landing System: NASA is actively pursuing liquid hydrogen for its Lunar Exploration goals, focusing on the long-duration storage and transfer of liquid hydrogen in orbit. This initiative includes multiple risk reduction and development activities to ensure the effective use of hydrogen for lunar missions.
- Space Launch System (SLS): NASA is constructing the world’s largest liquid hydrogen storage tank at Kennedy Space Center to support the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft. This innovative storage solution aims to reduce boil-off losses and improve efficiency in fueling operations, which were significant challenges in previous programs.
- Integrated Zero-Emission Aviation: This project aims to explore the use of liquid hydrogen in aviation, focusing on developing hydrogen-fueled aircraft. The initiative includes research on increasing power and efficiency while addressing safety and engineering challenges associated with hydrogen use in aviation.
- Cryogenic Propellant Management: NASA is investigating cryogenic propellant management systems for deep space exploration, emphasizing the need for effective storage and refueling from cryogenic depots in orbit. This research is crucial for missions to Mars and beyond, where reliable refueling options will be necessary.
- European Space Agency (ESA) Initiatives: ESA is exploring the use of liquid hydrogen in future space missions, particularly in developing cryogenic storage and transfer systems necessary for deep space exploration. This includes addressing the challenges associated with managing cryogenic propellants in space environments.
Interestingly, we have some other posts related to this content:
Our specialty focus areas include 
- Liquid Hydrogen for Zero-Emission Aircraft Innovation: by OVERLEAF
- The OVERLEAF project is developing cutting-edge liquid hydrogen storage tanks to enhance the transition to hydrogen-powered aircraft, focusing on zero emissions and sustainable aviation technology.
