NASA LogoNTRSNTRS - NASA Technical Reports ServerSearchmore_vertCollectionsAboutNewsHelpLogin Back to ResultsPropellant Feed System Leak Detection: Lessons Learned From the Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE)This paper presents pertinent results and assessment of propellant feed system leak detection as applied to the Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE) program flown at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The LASRE was a flight test of an aerospike rocket engine using liquid oxygen and high-pressure gaseous hydrogen as propellants. The flight safety of the crew and the experiment demanded proven technologies and techniques that could detect leaks and assess the integrity of hazardous propellant feed systems. Point source detection and systematic detection were used. Point source detection was adequate for catching gross leakage from components of the propellant feed systems, but insufficient for clearing LASRE to levels of acceptability. Systematic detection, which used high-resolution instrumentation to evaluate the health of the system within a closed volume, provided a better means for assessing leak hazards. Oxygen sensors detected a leak rate of approximately 0.04 cubic inches per second of liquid oxygen. Pressure sensor data revealed speculated cryogenic boiloff through the fittings of the oxygen system, but location of the source(s) was indeterminable. Ultimately, LASRE was cancelled because leak detection techniques were unable to verify that oxygen levels could be maintained below flammability limits.Document ID19990106559Acquisition SourceArmstrong Flight Research CenterDocument TypeReprint (Version printed in journal)AuthorsHass, Neal*(NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA United States)*Mizukami, Masashi*(NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA United States)*Neal, Bradford A.*(NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA United States)*St. John, Clinton*(NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA United States)*Beil, Robert J.*(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)*Griffin, Timothy P.*(Dynacs Engineering Co., Inc. Cocoa Beach, FL United States)*Date AcquiredSeptember 6, 2013Publication DateNovember 1, 1999Subject CategorySpacecraft Propulsion And PowerReport/Patent NumberNAS 1.15:206590NASA/TM-1999-206590H-2378Meeting InformationMeeting: International Space Planes and Hypersonic SystemsLocation: Norfolk, VACountry: United StatesStart Date: November 1, 1999End Date: November 5, 1999Sponsors:American Inst. of Aeronautics and AstronauticsFunding Number(s)PROJECT: RTOP 243-33-02Distribution LimitsPublicCopyrightPublic Use Permitted.Available DownloadsNameType19990106559.pdfSTIcloud_downloadcontent_copyvisibilityRelated RecordsThere are no records associated with this record.visibility_offNo Preview Available
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