NASA Technical Me norandum TM 1021 45 

. 

A Review of the Supply of Liquid 

Propellants and Other Fluids in Support of 

the Space Shuttle Program 

Stacy E. Churchwell 

EG&G Florida, Inc., Kennedy Space Center, Florida 

March 1989 

National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration 

John F. Kennody Space Center 
ABSTRACT 

In this study, over twenty significant liquid propellants and 

other fluids were reviewed as to their supply in support of the 

Space Shuttle Program, primarily at the Kennedy Space Center. 

The uniqueness of most of the products, either by their application or production characteristics, present a variety of supply 

issues to contend with. Each, however, is critical to the success 

of the Space Shuttle Program. It becomes necessary to formulate, 

and maintain, a logistic approach to assure a continued 

availability of each product. 

For convenience, two categories were established. One, labeled 

lllimited-availability," represents those products wherein they 

are single sourced, have production restrictions and/or there has 

been a history of supply problems. The other, labeled 

lluniversally-available," is characteristic of those having 

several sources and/or having little, if any, historical supply 

problems. This last category was not examined in depth. 

Through concepts of establishing stockpile inventories, multiple 

supply contracts, or other arrangements the supply of liquid 

propellants and other fluids can be assured. 

i 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

SUBJECT PAGE 

PURPOSE .................................................. 1 

SCOPE .................................................... 1 

AUTHORITY ................................................ 1 

INTRODUCTION ............................................. 1 

SUMMARY .................................................. 1 

LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

ANHYDROUS AMMONIA ("3) .................................. 3 

FUEL CELL COOLANT. FC-40 ................................. 6 

HYDROGEN ................................................. 8 

HELIUM ................................................... 13 

OXYGEN. Grade F .......................................... 17 

NITROGEN. Gaseous (GN2) .................................. 20 

HYDRAULIC FLUID. Fire Resistant .......................... 23 

HYDRAZINE (N2H4) ......................................... 25 

MONOMETHYLHYDRAZINE (MMH) ................................ 27 

NITROGEN TETROXIDE (N2Oq) ................................ 30 

SOLVENT 113 .............................................. 34 

. 

. 

REFRIGERANT R-21 ......................................... 36 

ii 
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont'd) 

SUBJECT PAGE 

UNIVERSALLY-AVAILABLE STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

. CITRIC ACID (14 PERCENT) ................................. 39 

DEMINERALIZED WATER (DM Water) ........................... 39 

HALON-1301 (Bromotrifluoromethane) ....................... 39 

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL (IPA) .................................. 39 

LIQUID ARGON (LAr) ....................................... 40 

HYDROCHLORIC ACID (HC1) .................................. 40 

LIQUID NITROGEN (LN2) .................................... 40 

LIQUID OXYGEN. (L02A). Propellant Grade .................. 40 

REFRIGERANT-114 (R-114) .................................. 40 

SODIUM HYDROXIDE-25 Percent (NaOH-25%) ................... 41 

SODIUM HYDROXIDE-50 Percent (NaOH-50%) ................... 41 

iii 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

This study was conducted under the direction of Mr. Addison L. 

Bain, Technical Manager, Center Support Operations, NASA-SI, 

Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The study was prepared with the 

assistance of personnel of the Fluids Management Branch, 

Technical Operations Division, of EG&G Florida, Inc., Kennedy 

Space Center, Florida. 

The following government organizations provided information, 

assistance, and reviews in support of the study: 

Department of the Air Force 

San Antonio Air Logistics Center 

Directorate of Aerospace Fuels 

San Antonio, Texas 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Mines 

Amarillo, Texas 

KSC Projects Division, NASA 

NASA Headquarters 

Washington, DC 

Orbiter and GFE Projects Control Office, NASA 

Johnson Space Center, 

Houston, Texas 

Propellants Consumables Management Staff, NASA 

Center Support Operations, 

Kennedy Space Center, FL 

iv 
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMNS 

AFLC 

APCI 

APU 

ATCS 

A-50 

BAir 

Big Three 

BOC 

CCAFS 

CCF-39 

CGA 

CLS 

cyls 

DCAS 

DOD 

DOT 

ECLSS 

ECS 

EG&G 

ET 

EVA 

F 

FCSS 

GO~/GO~A 

GOqF L 

gpm 

GSE 

GT 

HC1 

HMF 

HPU 

HSSF 

ICP 

IPA 

JSC 

KSC 

Air Force Logistics Command 

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. 

Auxiliary Power Unit 

Active Thermal Control System 

A mixture containing 50% Hydrazine and 50% 

Unsymmetrical Dimethyl Hydrazine 

Breathing air 

Big Three Industries, Inc. 

Base Operations Contract(or) 

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station 

Complex 39 Converter/Compressor Facility 

Compressed Gas Association 

Contingency Landing Site 

compressed gas cylinders 

Defense Contract Administrative Services 

(U.S.) Department of Defense 

(U.S.) Department of Transportation 

Environmental control and life support system 

Environmental control system 

EG&G Florida, Inc. 

External tank 

Extra Vehicular Activity 

Fahrenheit 

Fuel cell servicing system 

gallon( s 1 

Gaseous Hydrogen 

Gaseous Helium 

Gaseous Nitrogen 

Propellant-grade gaseous Oxygen 

High-purity gaseous Oxygen 

Gallon(s) per minute 

Ground support equipment 

(Compressed) gas trailer 

Hydrochloric acid 

Hypergolic Maintenance Facility 

Hydraulic power unit 

Hypergol Stockpile Storage Facility 

Inductively Coupled Plasma 

Isopropyl Alcohol 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 

John F. Kennedy Space Center 

V 
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 

(Continued 1 

LAir 

LC-39(A)(B) 

LCD 

LETF 

LH2 L02A 

LO-F 

LP~N~ 

LSOC 

LT 

MBMR 

MSFC 

MMH 

MON(-X) 

N2H4 x4 

NadH 

NaOH-25 

NaOH- 5 0 

NASA 

NO 

NOLA 

O&C 

OMS 

OPF 

PID 

PPm 

PRSD 

Psig 

R-2 1 

RCS 

RSV 

SA-ALC 

SCAPE 

scf 

scfm 

SI-A 

SPC 

SRB 

ssc 

SSME 

STS 

Liquid air 

Launch Complex 39 (pad A or B) 

Launch Countdown 

Launch Equipment Test Facility 

Liquid Hydrogen 

Propellant-grade liquid Oxygen 

High-purity liquid Oxygen 

Low-pressure gaseous Nitrogen 

Lockheed Space Operations Company 

Liquid tanker 

Material Bench Maintenance & Repair 

Marshall Space Flight Center 

Monomethylhydrazine 

Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen, x=l, 3, or 10% NO 

Monopropellant-grade Hydrazine 

Nitrogen Tetroxide 

Ammonia, anhydrous 

Sodium Hydroxide 

25-Percent Sodium Hydroxide 

50-Percent Sodium Hydroxide 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Nitric Oxide 

New Orleans, LA 

Operations and Checkout (Building) 

Orbiter maneuvering system 

Orbiter Processing Facility 

Procurement Information Document 

Part(s) per million 

Power reactant supply and distribution 

Pound(s) per square inch gage 

(system) 

Refrigerant 21 

Reaction control system 

Ready storage vessel 

San Antonio Air Logistics Center 

Self contained atmospheric protective ensemble 

Standard cubic feet 

Standard cubic feet per minute 

Propellants Consumables Management 

Shuttle Processing Contract(or) 

Solid Rocket Booster 

Stennis Space Center 

Space Shuttle main engine 

Space Transportation System 

vi 
TVC 

USBI 

USEPA 

VAB 

VJ 

WSSH 

WSTF 

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 

( Continued 1 

Thrust Vector Control 

United Space Boosters, Inc. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Vehicle Assembly Building 

Vacuum-jacketed 

White Sands Space Harbor 

White Sands Test Facility 

vii 
A REVIEW OF THE SUPPLY 

OF LIQUID PROPELLANTS AND OTHER 

FLUIDS IN SUPPORT OF THE 

SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM 

PURPOSE : 

The purpose of this report is to address the supply of liquid 

propellants and other liquids and gases provided by and/or used 

by the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in support of the Space 

Shuttle Program. 

This report identifies the variety of consumables (liquid 

propellants, other liquids, gases, and related fluids) provided 

by the Kennedy Space Center for use in servicing the Space 

Shuttle systems, related ground support equipment (GSE), and 

preparation of the Shuttle vehicle for launch at the Kennedy 

Space Center. Payload items are not included. The report 

addresses sources of supply, acquisition responsibilities, and a 

discussion of the issues and strategy of provisioning pertaining 

to the supply of each identified consumable. 

AUTHORITY: 

This review was prepared at the request of the Directorate of 

Center Support Operations (NASA/SI), John F. Kennedy Space 

Center, Florida. 

INTRODUCTION: 

To assure that launches of the Space Shuttle vehicles are 

performed as scheduled, an un-interruptable supply of the launch 

related propellants, liquids, and gases is required. A review of 

each of these consumables has been performed and is presented. 

At the end of the presentation of each limited-availability Space 

Transportation System (STS) fluid/propellant or "item", a 

detailed summary analysis and strategy for support during an 

interruption of the supply source is given. For each universally 

-available STS fluid/propellant or "item", a remarks summary 

statement is provided. 

SUMMARY: 

This review reveals that some concerns exists regarding the 

supply of anhydrous Ammonia, liquid Hydrogen, and liquid Oxygen, 

grade F., required for Space Shuttle launches. The concern 

regarding Ammonia and liquid Oxygen, grade F, relates to the lack 

1 
A REVIEW OF THE SUPPLY 

OF LIQUID PROPELLANTS AND OTHER 

FLUIDS IN SUPPORT OF THE 

SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM 

of an alternate supplier, and the concern regarding liquid 

Hydrogen relates to the limited capability of supporting NASA's 

launch and engine testing requirements as scheduled, during loss 

or curtailment of the supplier's production capability. 

2 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

ITEM 

PROCUREMENT 

CONTRACT 

RESP. KSC ORGS. 

CONTAINER 

SPECIFICATION 

USE 

SUPPLIER 

ISSUE 

ANHYDROUS AMMONIA 

ANHYDROUS AMMONIA (NH3) 

KSC (EG&G) 

Purchase Request issue upon need. 

EG&G-630 NASA/SI -A 

867-4491 867-4957 

Delivered and used in CGA type 1K cylinders, 

150-lb. nominal, 130-lb. each with full length 

eductor tube. OPF GSE racks are designed 

specifically to fit two each 150-lb. cylinders, 

in vertical position. Product is transferred 

from these cyls. into OPF High Bay GSE-654 cart 

of 50 gallons (252 lbs.) cap. for servicing the 

Orbiter. 

Federal Specification O-A-445B, with Amendment 

1, modified by EG&G-PID-06 to 8 ppm oil, max., 

& with full length eductor tube. 

NH3 

remove heat from the Refrigerant 21 coolant 

loop of the Orbiter ATCS (Active Thermal 

Control System) upon re-entry at altitudes 

below 100,000 feet and after landing. 

is consumed in moderate quantities to 

Matheson Gas Products, East Rutherford, NJ. 

Inability of many suppliers to meet product 

specification. Since 1978 a number of 

contracts were canceled due to suppliers' 

inability to provide specification product. 

Matheson has been the only proven source. The 

problem appears to be related to cylinder 

preparation/cleanliness rather than product 

purity difficulties. Principal contaminants 

are water and oil. Ammonia is very hygroscopic 

and the oil source is refrigeration system 

compressors; both contaminants may be present 

from previous cylinder fillings if the cylinder 

is not cleaned. To provide the cited 

specification quality Ammonia, the supplier 

must be capable of preparing the cylinders, 

including cleaning, with the proper eductor 

tube configuration and also have sufficient 

selection of grade sources to meet the 

stringent purity requirement (99.98%). 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

ANHYDROUS AMMONIA 

Relatively low-volume usage is not an incentive 

to suppliers to furnish product to 

specifications. 

AVAILABILITY Millions of tons of Ammonia are produced 

annually in the U.S., mostly for agricultural 

use. Most Ammonia is produced by modifications 

of the Haber-Bosch process. In modern plants, 

high temperature catalytic reactions between 

natural gas, air, and steam yield a mixture of 

Hydrogen, Nitrogen and oxides of Carbon. Oxide 

removal then follows the conversion. The 

remaining Hydrogen-Nitrogen mixture is 

compressed and passed over catalysts where 

Ammonia synthesis occurs at elevated 

temperatures. No grade specifications have 

been published as standard for the industry. 

However, generally accepted grade designations 

of commercially produced Ammonia are: 

Commercial (99.5%), Agricultural (99.7%), 

Refrigeration (99.95%), and Metallurgical 

( 99.99% 1. 

CONSUMPTION 

STORAGE 

On-board quantity is 97.6 lbs. in two 1.33 ft3 

tanks, which can last up to two missions under 

normal circumstances. There is about a 20% 

loss during Orbiter servicing. Ammonia boiler 

testing, when required, can increase 

consumption. During Orbiter servicing a 

cart-to-Orbiter flowmeter panel is used; a 

6-month flowmeter calibration cycle 

necessitates cart dumping to vent to obtain 

off-line shop calibration. 

Ten to twenty 150-lb. cyls. are stored under 

cover at the LC-39 Propellants North storage 

area. 

SUPPORTABLE A nominal two 150-lb. cyls. are furnished for 

MISSIONS each mission. Inventory to support a minimum 

of 5 missions is maintained. 

CURRENT SUPPORT Current practice is for sole source procurement 

from Matheson Gas on a batch basis to maintain 

the local inventory. 

4 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

ANHYDROUS AMMONIA 

ANALYSIS/STRATEGY FOR SUPPORT DURING SUPPLY INTERRUPTION 

0 InterruDtion: Failure of Matheson Gas Products to 

provide product. 

0 Product reauirement: Two 150-lb. cyls./mission will be 

the expected requirement. 

0 SuDDort caDabilitv/duration: Ten 150-lb. cyls., 

minimum, will be maintained in inventory to provide the 

necessary support for 5 missions. 

0 Backfill oDtions: None. 

0 Conclusions: KSC currently has no qualified 

alternative source of anhydrous NH3 that can provide 

backfilling of inventory during supply interruption. 

0 KSC must develop alternative sources of NH3 to provide 

for requirements during supply interruption. 

0 Action: KSC development of alternative sources of NH3 

is in process. KSC is also investigating the use of 

Government-controlled and maintained cylinders. 

5 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

ITEM 

PROCUREMENT 

RESP. KSC ORGS. 

CONTAINER 

SPECIFICATION 

USE 

SUPPLIER 

ISSUE 

AVAILABILITY 

CONSUMPTION 

FUEL CELL COOLING FLUID 

FUEL CELL COOLING FLUID ( "COOLANT FC-40" I 

KSC (LSOC) 

LSOC-421 NASA/TV-FSD-12 

867-5963 867-0792 

Procured in 1-gallon hard plastic lined 

cylindrical metal cans. Processed and transferred to 7.5-gal. (117.3 lbs.) canister for 

Orbiter loading. 

FLUORINERT FC-40 Brand Electronic Liquid. 

(Proprietary perfluorocarbon fluid formulated 

to 3M Company product specifications) 

FC-40 is used as a closed-loop fuel cell 

coolant to transfer waste heat from the Fuel 

Cells to to the Orbiter Coolant System. 

Industrial Chemical Products Division 

3M Company 

3M Center 

St. Paul, MN 55144-1000 

The 3M Company is the sole producer of FC-40. 

This 3M product satisfied the qualification 

testing and is thus specified as the necessary 

coolant fluid. 

STS usage is the only application for the 

perfluorocarbon liquid as a coolant fluid. The 

majority of commercial usage is for electronics 

testing. The 3M Company manufactures several 

similar perfluorocarbon liquids of varying 

molecular weight ranges and boiling points. 

There are three 3M Company plants located in 

the U.S. which are capable of producing FC-40 

liquid: Decatur, AL; Cordova, IL; and Cottage 

Grove, MN. 

FC-40 liquid is required only in low volume, 

since it is used in a closed loop system. The 

system is serviced only on a contingency basis 

after the initial fill operations. When 

servicing is required, the product is 

recovered, filtered, and de-aerated prior to 

reuse. Processing is accomplished in the MBMR 

Lab in the VAB at KSC. The system is then 

topped off. Minor quantities are also used for 

6 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

FUEL CELL COOLING FLUID 

STORAGE 

component testing. Onboard quantities 

consists of 25 to 30 lbs. per Fuel Cell for a 

total of 75 to 90 lbs. per Orbiter. (4.8 to 5.8 

gals.). Fuel Cells are received with the FC-40 

already loaded. Maximum allowable leakage rate 

is 0.1 cu. in. (3.07 grams) per month per Fuel 

Cell. 

Orbiter loading is accomplished using special 

7.5-gallon loading canisters which have been 

previously filled by transfer of liquid through 

filters from the 1-gallon units obtained from 

the manufacturer. Five canisters, with varying 

quantities of liquid, are maintained in the 

MBMR for Orbiter processing and loading. 

Replenishment is via LSOC stock, FSN 

685-000-K82-3003. Fifteen gallons are 

maintained in LSOC inventory (Reorder 

quantities are procured for each gallon as it 

is withdrawn, i.e., a 15 Max/l5 Min supply is 

maintained.) 

SUPPORTABLE A nominal mission can be estimated to use two 

MISSIONS gallons. Storage quantities are maintained to 

support 7 missions. 

CURRENT SUPPORT Current practice is for sole source procurement 

from the 3M Company to maintain inventory. 

ANALYSIS/STRATEGY FOR SUPPORT DURING SUPPLY INTERRUPTION 

0 Interruption: 

product. 

Failure of the primary plant to provide 

0 Product reauirement: Two gallons/mission will be the 

expected requirement. 

0 SuDDort caDabilitv/duration: Fifteen gallons, minimum, 

will be maintained in inventory to provide the product 

for 7 missions. 

0 Backfill options: Backfill of inventory will be 

accomplished by obtaining product from an alternate 3M 

plant. 

0 Conclusions: With multiple plant supply capability and 

LSOC stockage launch support is assured. 

0 Action: None. 

7 
ITEM 

PROCUREMENT 

CONTRACT 

RESP ORGS 

CONTAINER 

HYDROGEN 

HYDROGEN 

KSC (SI) 

NAS8-31034, Through November 30, 1990 

EG&G-63 0 NASA/ SI -A 

867-4491 867-4957 

Delivered in KSC-owned 13,000-gal. capacity 

liquid tankers, supplemented by Air Products 

and Chemicals, Inc. (APCI) owned 13,000-gal. 

capacity liquid tankers. NOTE: Seven KSC 

owned liquid tankers are GFE to APCI. 

SPECIFICATION Military Specification MIL-P-27201B 

USE 

SUPPLIER 

ISSUE 

LH2 is required principally as the SSME 

propellant. 

PRSD. 

OPF for fuel cell purging, and at the LETF for 

assorted hardware testing. 

LH2 is supplied by Air Products and Chemicals, 

Inc., Allentown, PA. from their plant in New 

Orleans, LA. 

conversion of LH2, using rechargers. 

Relative to the production of other cryogenic 

products, there are limited production locations of LH2 in the U.S. 

production capability in the U.S. was un erwritten by the Space Program. 

demand on the APCI New Orleans Commercial plant 

(Plant A) is now approaching 70 percent, with 

demand expected to continue to increase. 

During the final phase of construction, this 

plant could not be placed on-stream as a result 

of damage/flooding due to a hurricane. 

Consequently, the levee was raised from 8 feet 

to 18 feet. Product was shipped from a 

California plant (now dismantled) during this 

period to meet the small demands at the time. 

It is noted that there are significant 

requirements for LH2 in support of SSME testing 

at SSC. On occasion, prioritizing of 

deliveries and rescheduling of demands at 

various user sites has been required to 

accommodate production rate/storage inventory 

LH2 is also used to service the 

GH2 is required at the LC-39 Pads and 

GH2 is produced at KSC by 

3 Most of the LH 

Commercial 

8 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

AVAILABILITY 

CONSUMPTION 

HYDROGEN 

fluctuations. It is also significant that the 

major use of LH2 at SSC does not routinely 

place demands on the commercial delivery 

system. This system consists of industry fleet 

trailers closely sized to meet current market 

loads, with some reserve margin. Supporting 

SSC totally with trailers could override this 

commercial reserve margin. 

Domestic sources of tH2 are: 

Air Products, New Orleans, LA 66 

Air Products, Sacramento, CA 5 

Linde, Ashtabula, OH 12 

Linde, Niagara Falls, NY * 22 

Linde, Ontario, CA 22 

*In 1989, expected to increase to 33 

Canadian sources of LH2 are: 

Air Products, Sarnia, Ontario 22 

Liquid Air, Becancourt, Quebec 11 

AirCo, Magog, Quebec ** 15 

** expected to go on line in June, 

tons/day 

tons/day 

tons/day 

tons/day 

tons/day 

tons/day 

tons/day 

tons/day 

tons/day 

990 

The Sacramento, Niagara Falls, Sarnia and 

Ashtabula plants are essentially sold out to 

commercial demand. The demand on the Canadian 

plants to support Canadian commitments and 

certain overseas shipments is unknown. The 

rise in U.S. commercial demand varies from 5 to 

10 percent per year, one of the basic reasons 

for the Linde expansion. The Linde-Ontario 

plant (built in 1962) production was reduced 

for a time during the 1987 winter months due to 

feedstock curtailment. 

The plant capacities stated above represent 

so-called nameplate ratings. To determine 

effective deliverable volumes on a calendar 

basis, industry uses a discounted value of 

about 85% of nameplate data. This accounts for 

outages due to plant normal and corrective 

maintenance/utility problems, and market load 

variability due to seasonal demand 

fluctuations. 

488,000 gallons (288,000 lbs.) per mission (1 

attempt; ET + PRSD + Battery). Each additional 

launch attempt with a prior 24-hr. scrub and 

9 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

STORAGE 

SUPPORTABLE 

MISS IONS 

HYDROGEN 

drainback to the pad sphere consumes an 

additional 103,000 gallons (60,800 lbs.). 

Annual spheres losses equate to about 365,000 . 

gallons (215,600 lbs.). Thus for 12 

launches/year, the requirement is approximately 

6,221,000 gallons (3,674,100 lbs.) + scrub 

quantities, if any. 

It is noted that consumption of LH2 at other 

Government sites may exceed 20,000,000 gallons 

per year. 

830,000 gallons, nominal, storage capacity at 

each LC-39 pad. 

With 750,000 gallons, pre-mission minimum, in 

the primary sphere and 10 liquid tankers 

scheduled to arrive on the day following the 

1st Launch attempt, the launch attempt + one 

24-hour scrub turnaround + one 72-hour scrub 

turnaround can be supported, without resorting 

to the secondary LC-39 pad sphere, before 

replenishment is required. 

CURRENT SUPPORT Provided by delivery of LH2 tankers from 

APCI/NOLA per long term contract with APCI. 

The current contract expires November 30, 1990. 

Delivery capability is expected to increase in 

the second quarter, calendar year 1989 by 

utilization of four 34,400-gal. capacity 

railcars. These railcars provide sufficient 

on-site storage to replenish the quantity of 

product consumed in one Shuttle scrub 

turnaround. They also provide a convenient 

method of sphere-to-sphere LH2 transfer between 

LC-39A and LC-39B pads. 

ANALYSIS/STRATEGY FOR SUPPORT DURING SUPPLY INTERRUPTION 

0 InterruDtion: Failure of APCI/NOLA plant to provide 

product. 

0 Produc t reauirement: The expected requirements will be 

488,000 gallons (288,000 lbs.)/mission + 103,000 

gallons (61,000 lbs.) for each sphere drainback scrub, 

and annual spheres (heat) loss rate of 365,000 gallons 

(216,000 lbs.). The normal pre-launch inventory 

requirement is 750,000 gallons in the primary pad 

sphere. This is the minimum level required to provide 

10 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

HYDROGEN 

a 1st launch attempt and one 24-hour scrub turnaround. 

An additional scrub turnaround would require an 

additional 103,000 gallons of product delivery to 

prevent going below the minimum sphere level of 160,000 

gallons. 

Support at the Stennis Space Center normally runs at 

about 1,000,000 gallons per month. 

0 SuDDort caDabilitv/duration: Depending upon timing of 

a supply interruption, KSC sphere inventory may or may 

not support a mission, and the APCI/NOLA inventory may 

or may not support a mission and engine testing simultaneously. 

It is noted that the transport of LH2 by trailer for 

long distance hauling is potentially impacted due to 

the DOT imposed one-way travel time limit characteristic of the trailer age/condition. This circumstance is 

more prevalent in the older trailers, however, and can 

be mitigated by en route venting at appropriate 

contractor facilities, when available. A limiting 

factor at SSC is that the only trailer offloading 

capability is at the A-1 Test Stand and it is limited 

to only 2 stations. 

0 Backfill options: Throughout the current contract with 

APCI, a Government priority contract ending November 

30, 1990, APCI would pre-empt some commercial customer 

deliveries and provide product from their Sarnia, 

Canada plant. APCI would utilize their "Industry Swap 

Agreement" with Union Carbide, Linde Division, to 

provide limited supplemental product for an interim 

period. This planning assumes the two 500,000-gal. 

storage spheres at NOLA are available for servicing the 

SSC barges and are available as an inventory buffer to 

supply other users when deliveries are not made 

directly from other production sites. The problem 

becomes one of how much of the commercial accounts will 

be curtailed and of the amount of product available 

from sources other than APCI. Even with the Government 

contract rating of DO, it is doubtful APCI could or 

would significantly impact existing commercial contract 

obligations, due to resulting commercial business 

repercussions. Also, the "Industry Swap Agreement** is 

not a binding agreement but exists as a convenience to 

provide assistance for short term situations. Product 

borrowed is accounted for and then typically replaced 

11 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

HYDROGEN 

in a short time-frame to maintain a no-debt balance. 

It is subject to a unilateral decision on the part of 

the provider. 

0 Conclusions: There is a very questionable capability 

to assure Hydrogen supply to support the launch 

requirements and engine testing program as currently 

scheduled, and within the operational parameters 

typically encountered. 

critical, could more than likely be sustained; however, 

engine testing would need to be limited, as well as 

other NASA center R&D work. 

Launch support, being the most 

0 Action: KSC is taking appropriate procurement actions 

to provide long range contracts to supply LH beyond 

the current APCI contract term. It is expec ed that 

this procurement will satisfy the needs for primary and 

alternate LH2 supplies in the 1990's. 

KSC is taking action to have the current supplier 

develop a contingency supply plan to address near term 

supply interruptions. 

KSC is taking action to permit contingency utilization 

of product maintained in the secondary LC-39 pad 

sphere. 

SSC is taking action to allow the filling of barges 

onsite, using either railcars or trailers. 

t 

12 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

ITEM 

PROCUREMENT 

RESP. KSC ORGS 

CONTAINER 

SPECIFICATION 

USE 

SUPPLIER 

ISSUE 

AVAILABILITY 

HELIUM 

HELIUM (GHe) 

KSC (SI) 

EG&G-630 NASA/ S I -A 

867-4491 867-4957 

Delivered in Railcar or Compressed Gas Trailer 

quantities 

Military Specification MIL-P-27407A, Grade A. 

Used for leak testing, inert purging, 

pressurization of GSE, and as an onboard 

Orbiter/ET pressurant. 

U.S. Bureau of Mines, Amarillo, Texas. 

Under the provisions of Public Law 86-777 

(Helium Act), which resulted out of concern for 

wasteful losses of Helium contained in natural 

gas consumption, all Government agencies must 

obtain their Helium from the Bureau of Mines to 

support the conservation costs incurred in the 

1960s whereby the Bureau of Mines purchased 

Crude Helium (an intermediate product extracted 

from Natural Gas and containing 50-80% Helium 

in GN 1 from private plants and stored it in 

the Cfiffside gas field, a large dolomite 

underground storage area near Amarillo, Texas. 

In the 1970's, due to program changes, some 

private companies contracted with the Bureau of 

Mines to store their excess helium production 

in the Cliffside field. 

The Bureau of Mines no longer extracts Helium 

from natural gas as was done for years using 

several Government-owned separation plants in 

Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Kansas. The 

only Government purification plant, located in 

Masterson, Texas, fills railcars and compressed 

gas trailers for delivery to user locations. 

This plant's source is the Crude Helium from 

the Cliffside gas field. 

The vast majority of Helium in the U.S. is 

provided by commercial sources who extract the 

product from Natural Gas Production. The 

Bureau of Mines' Cliffside field is estimated 

to have sufficient product to meet the demand 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

CONSUMPTION 

STORAGE 

HELIUM 

for the next 100 years. The primary mode of 

GHe supply to KSC is by railcar. Due to a 40 

year age limit on railcar usage, the existing 

railcar fleet is being phased out beginning in 

1995. A shift to Helium deliveries by means of 

over-the-road compressed gas or liquid dewar 

trailers is occurring and will need to be in 

place by 2002 when the last railcars must be 

taken out of service. 

There are several private Helium suppliers that 

have the capability to provide the quality and 

quantity of Helium needed. These suppliers are 

presently selling in the private market all the 

Helium they produce , with a great deal of this 

Helium being shipped overseas. To provide the 

quantities of gaseous Helium required, 

suppliers would need to reallocate Helium sales 

or obtain additional Crude Helium supplies. In 

addition, to be able to support high launch 

rates, additional compressor capacity would 

have to be added for an individual vendor to 

support KSC requirements. It is estimated that 

6 months leadtime would be required for a 

vendor to add this additional capability. 

3,030,000 scf/mission, average. Each launch 

attempt/scrub turnaround consumes an additional 

1,500,000 scf. 24,000,000 scf is required as 

the base annual usage. SSC uses about 

22,000,000 scf on an annual basis. 

An interconnected system of batteries at the 

VAB, LC-39A, and LC-39B, with a combined 

capacity of 7,400,000 scf. at 5,660 psig. 

(Railcars are positioned at the KSC CCF-39 

siding prior to a launch). 

CURRENT SUPPORT All purchases are placed with the Bureau of 

Mines, Helium Division, Amarillo, Texas, per 

the Public Law 86-777 requirement. 

SUPPORTABLE The LC-39 GHe storage system could support one 

MISSIONS launch attempt without replenishment. 

Sufficient GHe to support three additional 

scrub turnaround launch attempts (21 railcars) 

is procured and delivered from the Bureau of' 

Mines prior to the start of each launch 

countdown. 

14 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

HELIUM 

ANALYSIS/STRATEGY FOR SUPPORT DURING SUPPLY INTERRUPTION 

0 Interruption Failure of Bureau of Mines capability to 

provide product. 

0 Product Reauirement: 3,030,000 scf/mission + 2,000,000 

scf per month will be the expected requirement. 

0 SuDDort capabilitv/duration: Existing GHe railcars on 

hand and enroute would be utilized, as required, until 

over the road compressed gas trailers can be received. 

Existing Bureau of Mines storage (over 11 million scf) 

could be utilized if available. All available railcars 

would be shipped to KSC and used as storage, and would 

be replenished by the trailers as Helium from other 

vendors becomes available. 

0 Backfill options: The product will be obtained from 

some of the many commercial sources, as provided for by 

Part 602, Code of Federal Regulations which implements 

Public Law 86-777. There are seven major production 

plants with Grade A GHe and LHe capability in the 

United States; however, no individual plant would be 

able to support all of KSC's requirements. Most 

commercial source Helium is liquefied, and gaseous 

shipping facilities are limited. 

There are sufficient gaseous Helium compressed gas 

trailers to supply KSC's peak requirements. The Bureau 

of Mines has a fleet of 38 compressed gas trailers to 

deliver gaseous Helium to customers. Should a 

catastrophe occur at the Bureau's Helium production 

facility, gaseous Helium railcars at KSC could be 

retained, or those at the Bureau of Mines' Exell 

(Masterson, Texas) plant could be sent to KSC to 

provide emergency Helium storage as needed. The 

Bureau's compressed gas trailer fleet could then be 

used to expedite delivery of private gaseous Helium to 

KSC. Trailers would be offloaded into the railcars to 

maintain the onsite storage volume desired. If these 

trailers are insufficient to supply KSC's requirements, 

private carriers, such as Jack B. Kelley Company, could 

provide additional trailers on an emergency basis. 

None of the private GHe producers have the capability 

to fill GHe railcars. 

0 Conclusions: In the event there is a catastrophe at 

the Bureau of Mines production facility, private 

industry could be utilized to support NASA 

15 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

HELIUM 

requirements. Railcars would be utilized at KSC for 

storage, while compressed gas trailers would deliver 

the product. 

The Federal Helium Program, as conducted by the Bureau 

of Mines for the Secretary of the Department of the 

Interior under 50 U.S.C. 167, is designed to provide 

for the current and foreseeable future Helium 

requirements for essential Government activities. In 

the event of a catastrophe or problem with the Bureau's 

Helium production facility, the Bureau will contract 

with private industry to supply the Federal 

requirements for Helium and will continue to be 

responsible for supplying all of NASA's Helium 

requirements. Bureau of Mines contracting for all 

Government agencies using Helium would help to 

eliminate unnecessary competition for Helium and 

increased costs to the user agency and the Government. 

There is no formal agreement between the Bureau of 

Mines and the vendors for support in this type of 

emergency, but it is advantageous to the vendors to 

support the Bureau in this activity as the vendor would 

receive in return an equivalent amount of the Bureau's 

stored Helium reserves. The added incentive of 

increased domestic Helium sales is also beneficial to 

the vendors. In any scenario the Bureau of Mines would 

work to minimize the costs of Helium to the Government. 

0 Action: None. 

16 
ITEM 

PROCUREMENT 

RESP. KSC ORGS: 

CONTAINER 

SPECIFICATION 

USE 

SUPPLIER 

ISSUE 

OXYGEN, GRADE F 

OXYGEN, GRADE F 

KSC (EG&G) 

EG&G-630 NASA/SI -A 

867-4491 867-4957 

LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

17 

Delivered in three KSC-owned, dedicated Liquid 

Tankers, 4000-gal. capacity, with 2,730 to 

3,150 gallons (14 - + 1 ton) per tanker delivery. 

Military Specification MIL-P-25508E, with 

Amendment 3, Grade F, modified by EG&G PID-07 

to limit the Methane to 10 ppm vice 20 ppm. 

Liquid Oxygen, Grade F (L02F), commonly 

referred to as "high purity" oxygen is used 

primarily as a reactant with LHZ in the Orbiter 

Power Reactant Supply Distribution System to 

provide Orbiter electrical power during flight. 

Gaseous Grade F Oxygen is produced from the 

liquid at KSC using a recharger to pressurize 

the pad Power Reactant Supply and Distribution 

System batteries. 

Liquid Air Corporation 

Industrial Gases Division 

340 Interstate N350 

Atlanta, GA 30339 

(supplied from its plant in Savannah, GA.) 

L02F is commonly produced by an air separation 

process. Air separation plants are numerous in 

all states. The high-purity requirements of 

L02F, however, pose unique production and 

handling problems. Only modern design plants 

and/or plants located in areas not subject to 

air pollution problems can produce product to 

the required specification. Also, when product 

is shipped and stored, it is highly prone to go 

out of specification due to what is known as 

"Methane enrichment. " 

The Liquid Air Corporation Savannah plant is 

scheduled for conversion to a llgas-onlytl plant 

in October 1989. This company has been awarded 

the contract to supply L02F for CY 89-91 and 

has indicated the product will be supplied from 

its Orlando, Florida plant, which may require 

modification to produce the quality needed. 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

AVAILABILITY 

CONSUMPTION 

STORAGE 

SUPPORTABLE 

MISSIONS 

OXYGEN, GRADE F 

Their Savannah plant is the only one in the 

United States with KSC-proven capability to 

produce L02F. 

An Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. plant in 

Decatur, Alabama, which has successfully 

produced L02F, can no longer do so. 

Other potential sources of L02F are Union 

Carbide Corporation, Linde Division, from their 

plant in Camden, SC, and Air Products and 

Chemicals, Inc., from their plants in Glenmont, 

NY, and Santa Clara, CA. 

14 tons L02F/mission for pad PRSD servicing. 

Multiple launch attempts may require pad 

battery reservicing (2.4 tons). About 2 tons 

of L02F are required for base annual support. 

Normally, upon delivery, L02F is offloaded into 

a permanent 13,500-gal. (64.3 tons) capacity, 

zero-loss Dewar located at the CCF-39 

Propellants North Operations area. The 

zero-loss Dewar vapor boil-off vent is cooled 

a lower boiling liquid, which is used 

to recondense L02F vapors to 

prevent boiloff losses and thus methane 

enrichment. 

During periods of zero-loss Dewar downtime, 

three KSC, 14-tons nominal load, liquid tankers 

are dedicated for delivery and onsite storage 

of L02F. Delivery of a prime tanker is made 7 

days prior to the required support date with a 

backup shipment arriving 2 days prior to the 

required support date. 

delivered to the vendor's plant to provide for 

future deliveries. 

With an operable zero-loss Dewar, ample product 

is available for three missions. During Dewar 

downtime, one mission will be supported with 

two tankerloads. Scrub turnarounds may require 

PRSD battery recharging, and without zero-loss 

Dewar availability, may require an additional 

tanker delivery. 

A third tanker is 

CURRENT SUPPORT Product is provided on a delivery order/lot 

basis when required from Liquid Air 

Corporation, Savannah, GA. 

18 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

OXYGEN, GRADE F 

ANALYSIS/STRATEGY FOR SUPPORT DURING SUPPLY INTERRUPTION 

0 InterruDtion: Failure of the supplier to provide 

product. 

0 Product reauirement: 14.1 tons/mission for pad PRSD 

Dewar and battery servicing, plus 2.4 tons for battery 

re-servicing with extended scrubs, will be the expected 

requirement. 

0 SuDDort caDabilitv/duration: 64.3 tons (13,500 

gallons) will be maintained in the zero-loss Dewar, 

when operational, to provide product to support three . missions. When the zero-loss Dewar is not operational 

an inventory beyond that required for an immediate 

launch cannot be maintained because of cryogenic 

boiloff and the Methane enrichment problem. 

0 Backfill oDtions: None. To provide product during 

supply interruption, negotiation with an alternate 

supplier (APCI or Linde) would be required to furnish 

the emergency supply. 

0 Conclusions: KSC needs an alternative L02F source of 

supply. KSC has been issuing 1-year subcontracts, on a 

calendar year basis, to provide product. For CY 89-91, 

a 1-year subcontract with two 1-year options was 

solicited and awarded. 

0 Action: EG&G will negotiate a call-type contract with 

an alternate supplier, and a tankerload will be ordered 

and tested to verify the alternate capability. 

19 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

ITEM 

PROCUREMENT 

RESP. KSC ORGS 

CONTAINER 

SPECIFICATION 

USE 

SUPPLIER 

ISSUE 

AVAILABILITY 

CONSUMPTION 

STORAGE 

NITROGEN, GASEOUS 

NITROGEN, GASEOUS (GN2) 

AFLC (SA-ALC) 

EG&G-630 NASA/SI-A 

867-4491 867-4957 

Delivered by underground pipeline. 

Military Specification MIL-P-27401C, Grade B, 

Type I. 

GN2 is used in large quantities for 

environmental purges, vehicle conditioning, and 

system pressurization. 

Big Three Industries, Merritt Island, FL. 

The Big Three plant/pipeline is the only source 

Of GN2 to LC-39. 

There are several nitrogen vendors in the area 

near KSC, but the capability of supplying 

6,000+ psig GN2 to the Complex 39 pipeline 

system is only present at the Merritt Island 

Big Three plant. In Central Florida, there are 

however several LN2 vendors sufficiently 

capable of supplying LN2 in launch quantities 

if storage and conversion equipment are 

available. 

LC-39 uses approximately 53 million scf of GN2 

per month with each launch requiring an 

additional 25 million scf. Each launch attempt 

can use up to 18 million scf of GNZ within 24 

hours if a scrub turnaround is experienced. The 

peak flow rate for STS launches is 16,000 scfm. 

Other pipeline users (CCAFS and HMF) average 

using a total of about 25 million scf per 

month. 

The LC-39 high pressu e storage system consists 

of fifty-four, 200 ft , storage vessels an 

associated piping for a total of 11,470 ft 

(water volume). This volume is equal to 3.4 

million scf. The Big Three and CCAFS 

undergrou d pipeline has a water volume of * 

14,380 ft and contains over 4.7 million scf of 

GN at maximum pressures (Big Three pipeline at 

6,zOO psig and CCAFS pipeline at 6,000 psig). 

4 5 

s 

20 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

NITROGEN, GASEOUS 

CURRENT SUPPORT The Big Three Merritt Island plant currently 

supplies GN2 to KSC and CCAFS through a 32-mile 

long underground pipeline network. Daily 

support is provided by an air separation plant 

with a capacity of 3,500 scfm. Flow rates 

greater than the separation plant can provide 

are supported by a high-pressure liquid 

conversion system capable of providing up to 

28,000 scfm. 

SUPPORTABLE 

MISSIONS 

There is insufficient GN2 in storage to 

support a complete STS countdown without the 

Big Three GN2 plant. 

ANALYSIS/STRATEGY FOR SUPPORT DURING SUPPLY INTERRUPTION 

0 InterruDtion: Failure of the Big Three plant to 

provide product. 

0 Product reauirement: Approximately 69 million scf of 

GN2 per month with an additional 25 million scf for 

each launch, and with a peak flowrate of 16,000 scfm at 

LC-39, concurrent with a 500 scfm for other users, 

during a launch will be the expected requirement. 

0 Surmort caDability/duration: There would be only 2.8 

million usable scf in inventory above the minimum 

pressure of 3,500 psig, and would be consumed within 24 

hours at a nominal daily usage. 

Current contingency planning allows for the 

continuation of STS launch countdown for 6 hours plus 

an additional 4 hours for vehicle safing in the event 

the Big Three plant is lost during Shuttle cryogenic 

loading. 

0 Backfill ODtions: Two B.J. Titan rechargers have been 

procured for use in STS contingency support. Each of 

these rechargers is capable of providing up to 7,000 

scfm each at 6,000 psig. There are also plans to 

construct a recharger pumping station at CCF-39 to 

accommodate the higher flow rates provided by the new 

rechargers. This pumping station will have connections 

for two rechargers with the capability of adding an 

additional connection if required. Activation of the 

new rechargers and pumping station would allow for the 

support of a complete STS countdown assuming no B.J. 

Titan recharger failures during countdown. 

21 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

NITROGEN, GASEOUS 

There are three Big Three plant failures that could not 

be rectified in an expedient manner. Major failures 

of the pipeline compressor and air separation plant 

or the distillation column/cold box could be long 

lead-time items, but would only affect plant daily 

operations. Big Three would utilize the LN2-to-GN 

conversion system for daily support in the event t e 

air separation was inoperable. The third failure, that 

of the LN2 storage sphere, would severely impact 

support operations during launch. Big Three-supplied 

Nowsco rechargers could be utilized alone or in 

conjunction with the B.J. Titan rechargers to support 

launch requirements in the event that the LN2 pumps 

were inoperable, but providing the large quantities of 

LN2 required for cryogenic loading without a large 

storage reservoir would be difficult. Each launch 

attempt with scrub/turnaround activities has the 

potential of using over 200,000 gallons of LN 

requiring a significant number of LN2 tanker 2eliveries 

to be off-loaded during countdown. 

E 

0 Conclusions: With the activation of the B.J. Titan 

rechargers and the ability of Big Three to bring in 

Nowsco rechargers, there is sufficient pumping 

capability to support both daily usage and launch 

flows. 

sufficient capability is available alternate LN2 

storage would be required in the event of a catastrophic failure of the Big Three LN2 storage tank. 

To ease LN2 logistical problems and ensure 

0 Action: None. 

22 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

HYDRAULIC FLUID, FIRE RESISTANT 

ITEM HYDRAULIC FLUID, FIRE RESISTANT 

PROCUREMENT JSC 

RESP. KSC ORGS LSOC-086 NASA/TL-FGP-5 

867-521 1 867-6458 

CONTAINER 55-gallon drums 

SPECIFICATION Military Specification MIL-H-83282B conforming 

to Bray Oil Company formulation Micronic 

882-NASA with a limit of 25-ppm maximum sulfur 

and 25-ppm maximum trichlorotrifluoroethane 

(Solvent 113). 

USE 

SUPPLIER 

ISSUE 

AVAILABILITY 

CONSUMPTION 

Used as the lubricating agent on the Orbiters' 

aerodynamic control surfaces, main engine, and 

landing gear, on the ET umbilical actuator, 

and on the SRB nozzle controls. 

Bray Oil Company 

16715 Von Karmen Avenue, Suite 230 

Irving, CA 92714 

(Subsidiary of Burmah-Castrol, Inc.) 

Bray is the sole-source supplier per their 

Micronic 882-NASA formulation. Although other 

sources are probably available, BrayCo has 

performed the required qualification testing. 

Servicing of GSE and flight elements must be 

only from drums marked "Shuttle Use Only." 

JSC/GFE Orbiter Support Projects Control Office 

(VN3/BW3) is responsible for procurement of 

this special hydraulic fluid. It is normally 

purchased by batch order under individual 

contract on a one-time buy. Manufacturer 

delivery time is 3 to 4 months from date of 

order. Burmah-Castrol has other subsidiaries 

all over the U.S., including one in Florida 

that could develop the capability of producing 

the product, with additional qualification 

testing to meet NASA requirements. 

KSC usage has ranged from 10.8 drums per month 

in 1985 to 2.4 drums per month in the first 

half of 1988. 

23 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLmTS 

STORAGE 

HYDRAULIC FLUID, FIRE RESISTANT 

1,200 drums were purchased on a one-time JSC 

buy in 1984 and 300 of these drums were 

received at KSC for storage on May 3, 1984. 

Inventory/storage is provided at KSC, VAFB, 

MSFC, WSTF, Rockwell/Downey, and Moog/New York. 

Immediate requirements can be filled by 

redistribution of user inventories via JSC 

direction. 

SUPPORTABLE If a minimum of 50 drums is maintained, about 

MISS IONS 14 missions will be supported. 

CURRENT SUPPORT The Hydraulic Fluid is supplied to all users as 

a "Government-f urnished product" under JSC 

direction. Flight support quantities are 

issued by KSC LSOC Logistics (FSN-9150-00-KO4237). Issue is controlled by an Item Manager 

who receives an automatic suspense when a 

request for issue is made. Issue is made only 

to authorized users. 

ANALYSIS/STRATEGY FOR SUPPORT DURING NORMAL SUPPLY INTERRUPTION 

0 InterruDtion: Failure of the primary plant to provide 

product. 

0 Product reauirement: 2.4 to 10.8 drums/month will be 

the expected requirement. 

0 Sumort caDabilitv/duration: A nominal 6-month supply, 

minimum, (about 50 drums) should be maintained in 

inventory to provide the necessary support. 

0 Backfill oDtions: Backfill of inventory during supply 

interruption will be provided by obtaining product from 

an alternate Burmah-Castrol plant. 

0 Conclusions: With KSC flight support inventory at KSC, 

multiple plant supply capability, and the JSC inventory 

redistribution option, continuous launch support is 

assured. 

0 Action: EG&G will recommend that LSOC move the VAFB 

supply to KSC, and establish a KSC max/min quantity of 

100/50 drums. 

24 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

HYDRAZINE 

ITEM HYDRAZINE (N2H4) 

PROCUREMENT AFLC (SA-ALC) 

RESP. KSC ORGS. EG&G-630 NASA/SI-A 

867-4491 867-4957 

CONTAINER Delivered to CCAFS stockpile in 55-gal. drums. 

SPECIFICATION Military Specification MIL-P-26536D. 

USE 

SUPPLIER 

ISSUE 

AVAILABILITY 

CONSUMPTION 

STORAGE 

SUPPORTABLE 

MISSIONS 

Hydrazine is the monopropellant fuel for the 

Orbiter HPU and APU, and for the TVC system 

(SRB HPU) . 

Olin Corporation, Lake Charles, LA. 

Olin is the only domestic source of N2H4. 

SA-ALC has a multi-year production contract 

with Olin to produce N H4. 

Charles, at CCAFS, and at other user locations. 

Olin has storage for 1500 drums of various 

hydrazine products at the Lake Charles plant. 

The CCAFS area permits storage of 115 55-gallon 

drums. This area provides stockpile storage 

quantities as well as courtesy storage for 

users. SA-ALC also reviews inventory and 

forecasts 2.5 years requirements semiannually 

to assure a minimum 3-year stockpile. 

SA-ALC maintains 

drum inventory at the 6 lin plant in Lake 

A nominal mission will require 150 gallons 

(1,260 lbs.). The breakdown is 117 gallons for 

the APU, 13 gallons for the HPU, and 20 

gallons for the SRB HPU "hot firing." 

The product is stored at the CCAFS Propellants 

South N2Hq Drum Storage Area. 

SA-ALC maintains a stockpile to cover a 

forecasted three-year usage. The CCAFS 

established minimum stockpile will support 3 

shuttle missions. The SA-ALC stockpile should 

extend launch support until mid-1992. Their 

supply forecast will be expected to change with 

launch schedule changes. 

25 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

HYDRAZINE 

CURRENT SUPPORT The minimum controlled storage quantity at 

CCAFS for STS support is ten drums. When 

supply reaches this level, 20 N2H4 drums are 

either purchased from Air Force inventory or 

transferred to CCAFS from other stockpile 

sites. Distribution from storage is made 

either by drums or by loading KSC's 500-gal. 

liquid tanker from drums. 

ANALYSIS/STRATEGY FOR SUPPORT DURING SUPPLY INTERRUPTION 

0 InterruDtion: Failure of the Olin Lake Charles plant 

to provide product. 

0 Product reauirement: 150 gallons (1,260 lbs.) per 

mission will be the expected requirement. 

0 SuDDort caDabilitv/duration: Ten 55-gal. drums, 

minimum, will be available in inventory to support 3 

missions. 

0 Backfill oDtions: Replenishment drums will be obtained 

from Olin's Lake Charles, LA. stockpile site. 

0 Conclusions: With Air Force stockpiles at CCAFS, Lake 

Charles, LA., and McIntosh, AL., continued launch 

support could be assured until such time as production 

capability is restored (estimated maximum of 2 years). 

0 Action: KSC has requested that SA-ALC provide, on a 

periodic basis, a time-oriented inventory analysis to 

determine storage and production run requirements. 

26 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

MONOMETHYLHYDRAZINE 

ITEM MONOMETHYLHYDRAZINE (MMH) 

PROCUREMENT AFLC (SA-ALC 

RESP. KSC ORGS EG&G-630 NASA/SI-A 

867-4491 867-4957 

CONTAINER 

SPECIFICATION 

USE 

SUPPLIER 

ISSUE 

AVAILABILITY 

CONSUMPTION 

Delivery to CCAFS (Propellants South) is 

accomplished by 6,000-gal. capacity, SA-ALC 

contracted liquid tankers (maximum load: 5,400 

gallon). Distribution is accomplished with 

KSC-owned liquid tankers, one each: 3,000- 

gal., S,OOO-gal., and (for fire training) 500- 

gal. capacity 

Military Specification MIL-P-27404B. 

MMH is used as the hypergol fuel for the 

Orbiter OMS and RCS. MMH is also used by 

the SRB's thrust vector control. Minor amounts 

are used for training exercises (fire fighting 

and spill/cleanup). 

Olin Corporation, Lake Charles, LA. 

Olin is the only domestic source of MMH. 

Although the hydrazine family is produced by 

NH3 processes, MMH is unique due to reaction 

control difficulties when Methylamine is added. 

SA-ALC has a multi-year production contract to 

produce MMH with Olin to fulfill forecasted 

requirements and maintain a 3-year stockpile. 

Olin is under SA-ALC contract to store MMH in 

Government railcars at the Lake Charles site. 

SA-ALC has 22 Government railcars usable for 

MMH, A-50, or N2H4, and divides them 

appropriately to provide forecasted quantities. 

SA-ALC maintains stockpile, reviews inventory 

semiannually, and forecasts usage requirements. 

Olin has indicated it would take 3 years to 

totally rebuild the plant, providing Government 

funding is available. 

A nominal STS mission will require up to 1,470 

gallons (10,800 lbs.) of MMH. The breakdown is 

7,900 lbs. for the OMS, and 2,900 lbs. for the 

RCS. When and if additional orbital velocity 

is required during a mission, payload bay kits 

may be required. Each of up to three kits 

27 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

STORAGE 

SUPPORTABLE 

MISS IONS 

MONOMETHYLHYDRAZINE 

would require 4,500 lbs. STS training 

exercises require 500 gallons/year (3,700 

lbs./year) and are supported with MMH received 

from OMS/RCS deservicing, system low-point and 

sample collection drains, etc. when available. 

KSC is the major user of MMH since VAFB is 

downmoded. Minor quantities are used by 

propulsion system components development sites. 

LC-39 storage consists of up to 7,600 gallons 

in a Ready Storage Vessel at each of the two 

LC-39 pads. The Air Force controlled stockpile 

consists of storage at CCAFS (Propellants 

South) and Olin (Lake Charles, LA). 

Independent storage exists as well at NASA 

contractor components development sites. Olin 

storage is by railcars containing up to 6,700 

gallons each. One to three storage tanks with 

up to 25,000 gallons of MMH in each are planned 

under HSSF for CCAFS. 

SA-ALC maintains a 3-year stockpile to 

provide for forecasted usage. LC-39 Pad RSV 

quantity levels are usually maintained to 

provide a minimum total of 10,000 gallons 

between the two pads; thus a minimum of 6 

missions could be supported with these RSV 

sources. Additional missions that could be 

supported are dependent upon the railcars 

inventory maintained by Olin and the resultant 

CCAFS HSSF storage tanks. 

CURRENT SUPPORT Orbiter MMH hyperload is accomplished from the 

7,600 gallons in the LC-39 pad RSV. MMH is 

delivered to the LC-39 pad RSVs by a 3,000- or 

5,000-gal. KSC-owned tanker after receipt and 

transfer of product from the SA-ALC-contracted 

tanker. With HSSF availability, SA-ALC tanker 

deliveries will be made directly to the HSSF, 

from which the KSC-owned tanker will be 

utilized for transfers to the LC-39 pad. 

ANALYSIS/STRATEGY FOR SUPPORT DURING SUPPLY INTERRUPTION 

0 InterruDtion: Failure of the Olin production plant to 

provide MMH. 

28 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

MONOMETHYLHYDRAZINE 

0 Product reauirement: An estimated 1,470 gallons 

(10,800 lbs.) per mission will be the expected 

requirement. 

0 SuDDort caDabilitv/duration: RSV inventories will 

provide the necessary support for a minimum of 6 

missions if the total volume of both pads is maintained 

at 10,000 gallons. 

0 Backfill oDtions: The Air Force stockpile is maintained at CCAFS and Olin to provide for near-years 

requirements. Product from these sources will be used 

to provide pad product replenishment during supply 

interruption. 

0 Conclusions: With the two KSC RSV's minimally at 

10,000 gallons, and the future HSSF storage of 25,000 

to 75,000 gallons, a total of 35,000 to 85,000 gallons 

of storage could be available for support. 

0 Action: KSC has requested that SA-ALC provide, on a 

periodic basis, a time-oriented inventory analysis to 

determine storage and production run requirements. 

29 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

ITEM 

PROCUREMENT 

CONTRACT 

RESP. KSC ORGS. 

CONTAINER 

SPECIFICATION 

USE 

SUPPLIER 

ISSUES 

NITROGEN TETROXIDE 

NITROGEN TETROXIDE (N204 MON-3, LOW IRON .. 

AFLC (SA-ALC) 

NAS 3620 

EG&G-630 NASA/ s I -A 

867-4491 867-4957 

Primary method of delivery to KSC is provided 

by two, KSC-owned, 3,000-gal. each, stainless 

steel tankers to assure that the low-Iron 

content required by the specification is 

maintained. Eleven SA-ALC-contracted carbonsteel tankers may also make deliveries of NZ04 

which does not have an iron content limitatlon. 

Also, 110,000 lb. (9,100 gal.) 

SA-ALC-contracted carbon-steel railcars may be 

used. If the railcars or tankers are required 

as backup to the primary method, KSC 

molecular-sieve equipment may be used to filter 

out the Iron. 

NAS-3620, N204 MON-3 

N O4 MON-3 is used as a hypergol oxidizer in 

tie OMS, APS, and RCS aboard the Orbiter. 

Cedar Chemical Company, Vicksburg, MS 

Cedar Chemical is the only active N Oq 

California plant, a past producer of N204, is 

not active but responded to bid proposal. 

producing site in the U.S. today. fi ercules' 

While N204 normally can be stored indefinitely, 

unique storage and handling problems can 

develop. It has a tendency to absorb iron into 

solution (from carbon steel) and will go out of 

the NO specification if handled sufficiently, 

due to NO boiloff. MON-10, also supplied by 

Cedar Chemical, can be added to adjust the NO 

content. An iron-removal unit (molecular 

sieve), designed and procured at KSC to reduce 

the iron level, may be used if necessary. 

N204 tanker transport is governed by DOT 

exemption DOT-E-3121. 

their exemption requirements to require DOD to 

The DOT has modified 

30 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

NITROGEN TETROXIDE 

have an operational emergency response plan. 

The DOD has opted for escorting these shipments 

as the means for complying with this provision. 

AVAILABILITY 

CONSUMPTION 

SA-ALC contracts with Cedar Chemical to obtain 

a bulk quantity of product and to store N20 

the Company site. 

storage site to stockpile N20 

Congressional funding obtaine$ to allow 1989 

completion of HSSF). After the HSSF expansion 

the total capacity will consist of four 22,000- 

gal. tanks with up to 239,100 lbs. in each, 

with the anticipated allocation as follows: 

one MON-3; and three MON-1. SA-ALC states that 

they maintain a MON-3 N204 stockpile inventory 

(cumulative at various sites) sufficient to 

cover users' requirements for a 2-year timeframe. MON-3 is also in storage at other 

Government facilities (such as WSTF) as well as 

at propulsion system components systems 

development sites (i.e., Aerojet General and 

Rocketdyne 1. 

on 

SA-ALC is developing a C8AFS 

(Emergency 

Cedar Chemical has equipment replacements on 

hand for "hard to purchase" items and indicated 

that a N204 plant could be rebuilt in 6 to 12 

months. As an alternate production option, 

Cedar Chemical indicated that it has the 

technology available to modify their nitric 

acid plant to produce N2O4 within 4 months. 

Hercules indicated that they can provide a one 

ton/day package plant at one's own selected 

site, based on a new concept which has been 

pilot-plant tested. 

A nominal STS loading requires 1,450 gallons 

(17,500 lbs.) of N2O4. When and if additional 

orbital velocity is required during a mission, 

payload bay kits may be required. Each of up 

to three kits would require 4,500 lbs. STS 

training exercises require 500 gallonslyear 

(3,700 lbs./year), and are supported with N204 

received from OMS/RCS deservicing, system 

low-point and sample collection drains,etc. 

when available. KSC is the only major user of 

MON-3; WSTF uses small test quantities. 

31 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

NITROGEN TETROXIDE 

STORAGE 

SUPPORTABLE 

MISSIONS 

LC-39 storage consists of up to 7,600 gallons 

in a Ready Storage Vessel at each of the two 

LC-39 pads. Cedar Chemical provides storage at 

their plant of up to 9,000 gallons (108,700 

lbs.). Additional storage capability at Cedar 

Chemical consists of three 28,000-gal., 

capacity, (25,000 gal. N204) carbon-steel tanks 

for MON-1 or MON-3 storage, in addition to 

three (9,100-gal. N204) carbon-steel railcars. 

SA-ALC states that they maintain a stockpile 

to cover a forecasted 2-year usage. LC-39 Pad 

RSV quantity levels are usually maintained to 

provide a minimum total of 10,000 gallons 

between the two pads; thus a minimum of 6 

missions could be supported with these sources. 

Additional missions that could be supported are 

dependent upon the dedicated inventory maintained by Cedar Chemical. 

CURRENT SUPPORT Orbiter N O4 hyperload is accomplished from the 

7,600 galjons in the LC-39 pad RSV. N204 is 

delivered to the pad by 3,000-gal. KSC tanker 

directly from the vendor until December 1990 

when the DOT exemption will expire. With HSSF 

availability through December 1990, KSC tankers 

will continue to be used for delivery from 

Cedar Chemical directly to the HSSF or to the 

LC-39 pad RSVs, if ullage allows. After 

December 1990 and with HSSF availability, 

deliveries from HSSF to the LC-39 RSVs will be 

by KSC tanker; SA-ALC tankers (to be procured) 

will be used for deliveries from Cedar Chemical 

to the HSSF, or if the tankers permit, directly 

to the pad RSV when the RSV ullage will permit. 

ANALYSIS/STRATEGY FOR SUPPLY DURING SUPPLY INTERRUPTION 

0 InterruPtion: Failure of Cedar Chemical production 

plant to provide product. 

0 Product reauirement: An estimated 1,450 gallons 

(17,500 lbs.) of N20q per mission will be the expected 

requirement. 

32 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

NITROGEN TETROXIDE 

SuDDort caDabilitv/duration: RSV inventories will 

provide the necessary support for a minimum of 6 

missions if the total volume of both pads is maintained 

at 10,000 gallons. 

Backfill obtions: 

Cedar Chemical 10,000-gal. (9,000 gallons of N 04) 

dedicated storage tank to extend launch capabi ! ity. 

Conclusions: 

two KSC RSV's, up to 9000 gallons of N204 in Cedar 

Chemical's storage tank, and anticipated 20,000 gallons 

of N204 in future HSSF storage, a total of up to 39,000 

gallons of storage could be available for support. 

Product will be obtained from the 

With the 10,000 gallons of Nz04 in the 

Action: KSC has requested that SA-ALC provide, on a 

periodic basis, a time-oriented inventory analysis to 

determine storage and production run requirements. 

33 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

ITEM 

SOLVENT 113 

SOLVENT 113 

(1,1,2-Trifluoro-1,2,2-trichloroethane) 

PROCUREMENT KSC (EG&G) 

RESP. KSC ORGS EG&G-630 NASA/S I-A 

867-4491 867-4957 

CONTAINER Delivered in KSC-owned, 15,000-gal. railcar, 

NALX 190. 

SPECIFICATION MIL-C-81302D, Type 11, amended by EGGG-PID-01. 

USE 

SUPPLIER 

ISSUE 

Solvent 113 is used as a final cleaning agent 

for numerous hardware components and softgoods 

where both water and alcohol are unsuitable. 

Solvent 113 is also used for contingency 

flushing and systems decontamination at the 

OPF, HMF, and pads. 

Allied-Signal, Inc. 

Morristown, NJ. 

(from their Baton Rouge, LA plant) 

As a result of mounting scientific evidence of 

stratospheric ozone layer damage, the United 

States EPA has recently ruled to limit the 

production of eight fully halogenated alkanes, 

including Solvent 113. Beginning July 1, 1989, 

the total U.S. production and import levels 

will be frozen at 1986 levels. These levels 

will be subsequently reduced to 50% within a 

decade. USEPA has stated that it would like to 

introduce legislation which would reduce consumption of the 8 halogenated alkanes 95% by 

1998. 

Currently, all substitute solvents and cleaners 

are either toxic or flammable. Where 

flammability is not an issue, Bioact DG-1 

(manufactured by Petroferm Corporation) may be 

a suitable substitute at a cost 20% higher (per 

gallon) than solvent 113. 

AVAILABILITY Solvent 113 currently is also produced by 

duPont. 

CONSUMPTION KSC currently uses 160 - 240 tons/year of 

Solvent 113. On the average, EG&G Fluids 

Management supplies 170 tons per year of bulk 

34 
STORAGE 

LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

SOLVENT 11 3 

Solvent 113, BOC Materiel Supply (EGG-1010) 

supplies 15 drums (5 tons) per year, and SPC 

Supply (LSOC) supplies 70 drums (25 tons) per 

year. 

SUPPORTABLE 

MISSIONS 

KSC fixed storage consists of one 22,000-gal. 

tank. Solvent 113 is also stored in the KSC 

15,000-gal. railcar, NLAX 190. 

Inventory is maintained to provide support for 

minimum of about four missions, although 

consumption is not launch dependent. 

Quantities are also maintained for contingency 

flushing of OMS pods every fifth flight of an 

orbiter, a flight mission ground rule 

requirement. 

CURRENT SUPPORT A railcar delivery from Allied-Signal is made 

once every six months. Bulk solvent is 

transported to user locations by two 3,960-gal. 

liquid tankers, and two 5,000-gal. liquid 

tankers. Drum quantities are available from 

BOC Supply and SPC Supply. 

ANALYSIS/STRATEGY FOR SUPPLY DURING SUPPLY INTERRUPTION 

InterruDtion: Failure of the current supplier to 

provide the product (most likely due to back-order 

caused by EPA regulations). 

Product reauirement: 30,500 gallons/year. (200 

tons/year.) is the average annual requirement. 

SuDDort caDabilitv/duration: 10,000 gallons, minimum, 

are maintained in bulk inventory to provide support for 

4 months prior to re-order. 

Backfill oDtions: Inventory replenishment will be 

contracted with an alternate supplier. 

Conclusions: With alternate supply sources, product 

availability is assured for continuous launch support. 

Action: None. 

35 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

REFRIGERANT 21 

ITEM REFRIGERANT 21 (dichlorofluoromethane) 

PROCUREMENT KSC (EG&G) 

RESP. KSC ORGS EG&G-630 

867-4491 

NASA/ S I -A 

867-4957 

CONTAINER Procured in 1000-lb. gas cylinders, and, when 

required, distributed to offsite NASA 

Contractors in 150-lb. gas cylinders. 

SPECIFICATION Federal Specification BB-F-1421B (in accordance 

with STS program use specification JSC 

SE-S-0073) amended by EG&G-PID-09 to a boiling 

point of 48.1 - + 2 OF. 

USE 

SUPPLIER 

ISSUE 

R-21 is the closed-loop heat transfer medium in 

the Orbiter main coolant system (ECLSS). R-21 

is also required for testing of system 

components at manufacturing sites. 

Most recent purchase was 20,000 lbs. in 1985 

from Union Carbide, Danbury, CT. This purchase 

was the result of a special production run. 

R-21 is the only known suitable refrigerant for 

the wide range of conditions experienced from 

Shuttle flight readiness through flight 

completion. The Shuttle's coolant system is 

the only known use for R-21. Hence, R-21 is 

rarely produced, and there is no domestic or 

foreign producer that regularly makes it. 

During the STS research and development phase 

and the first few launches, the source was 

duPont, West Germany. Union Carbide and Allied 

Chemical can also produce R-21. 

AVAILABILITY R-21 can be produced by changing the operating 

parameters of an R-22 production plant, 

however, due to low demand, special purchases 

on the order of 20,000 lbs. are required to 

justify the production and also to 

reasonable price per lb. Since it is a 

toxic/hazardous material, requiring handling 

precautions during production (limiting 

personnel in the plant, etc.), the continued 

willingness of companies to produce R-21 may 

affect availability. 

get a more 

36 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

CONSUMPTION 

STORAGE 

SUPPORTABLE 

MISS IONS 

REFRIGERANT 21 

The coolant system operates with 750 lbs. of R-21. 

However, the cooling system is a closed loop, and 

R-21 is required only to replace lost coolant, or 

for contingency refill. A base annual quantity of 

4000 lbs./year is required by various offsite 

support organizations and laboratories for testing 

of Orbiter coolant system components. 

An inventory of 1000-lb. cylinders and 1'50-lb. 

cylinders is maintained at LC-39 Propellants 

North. 

Inventories are maintained to provide support 

requirements for a minimum of 2 years, and 

consumption is launch dependent only in a few 

instances (Orbiter cooling system top-off, 

payload quantities, and contingency refills). 

CURRENT SUPPORT EG&G provides R-21 via work order requests to 

authorized Shuttle users and their contractors. 

ANALYSIS/STRATEGY FOR SUPPLY DURING SUPPLY INTERRUPTION 

0 InterruDtion: Inability of one of the suppliers to 

provide the Refrigerant 21. 

0 Product reauirement: The base annual requirement is 

4000 lbs./year. Contingency Orbiter refill requirement 

is 750 lbs. Development and testing for OV-105 is 

anticipated to require two system fills. 

0 SUDDort caDabilitv/duration: A minimum of 8,000 lbs., 

prior to re-order, is maintained in inventory and will 

provide support for 2 years. 

0 Backfill oDtions: KSC will replenish inventory by 

purchasing product from an alternate supplier, either 

Union Carbide or Allied-Signal. 

0 Conclusions: Since product is expected to be available 

from at least 1 of 2 sources, continuous support for 

launches is assured. Since R-21 is a hazardous 

product, KSC should be aware of the above cited 

companies' willingness to produce it. 

37 
LIMITED-AVAILABILITY STS REQUIRED FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

REFRIGERANT 21 

0 Action: When inventory is reduced to 8,000 lbs., EG&G 

will perform a market survey to determine product 

availability, followed by a procurement request to 

replenishment R-21 via subcontrct. 

38 
UNIVERSALLY-AVAILABLE STS FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

ITEM 

REMARKS 

ITEM 

REMARKS 

ITEM 

REMARKS 

ITEM 

REMARKS 

CITRIC ACID - 14 percent 

Citric Acid (14%) is used as a hypergolic fuel vapor 

scrubber solution at the pad and other support buildings. Drums of dry powdered citric acid are procured 

by KSC (EG&G) and stored at Central Supply. EG&G mixes 

the powder with water to a 38% solution for delivery to 

the user site; the user adjusts the concentration to 

14% and adds antifoam agent for final use. 

DEMINERALIZED WATER (DM Water) 

DM Water is used onboard the Orbiter in the water 

coolant loop, water boiler system, potable water 

system, the EVA liquid cooled garment and for many 

payloads. DM Water is produced at the KSC Water Plant, 

located at the CCF-39 area, from the KSC water supply 

obtained from the city of Cocoa, Florida. DM Water is 

also produced at user sites by portable deionizing 

units (PDU). 

HALON-1301 (Bromotrifluoromethane) 

Halon-1301 is procured by KSC (EG&G). Halon-1301 is a 

liquefied gas used as a fire extinguishing agent in 

many KSC facilities and onboard the Orbiter. When 

placed in the fire extinguisher servicing cylinder, the 

pressure is boosted to the equivalent of 160 psig at 

70 OF with GN2 to aid rapid dispersion during 

extinguisher activation. No Halon-1301 procurement 

concerns exist due to its widespread production and 

use. Halon-1301's production and use is widespread 

and there should be no procurement problems for the 

next 3 years. However, a recent Clean Air Act 

amendment has stipulated a production freeze at the 

1986 annual quantity beginning in 1992. This freeze 

will likely cause a 10-15% shortage. 

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL ( IPA) 

Drummed quantities of IPA are procured by KSC (EG&G) 

for general use. Bulk (2,000 to 5,000 gallons) 

quantities of IPA are procurable as a contingency 

flushing/drying agent should decontamination of STS 

hypergolic fuel distribution/storage systems be 

necessary. A 1-year subcontract is established for 

contingency procurement. 

39 
UNIVERSALLY-AVAILABLE STS FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

ITEM 

REMARKS 

ITEM 

REMARKS 

ITEM 

REMARKS 

ITEM 

REMARKS 

ITEM 

REMARKS 

LIQUID ARGON (LAr) 

Liquid Argon, to specification MIL-A-l8455B, is 

procured by KSC (EGtiG). The principal use at KSC is to 

support analyses requiring ICP Spectrophotometers in 

the LC-39 Chemical Sampling and Analysis Laboratory, 

the OCC Building Microchemical Analysis Laboratory, and 

the CCAFS Biomedical Laboratory. Liquid Argon is 

available as a product of liquid air separation 

manufacturing. 

HYDROCHLORI C ACID ( HC1) 

HC1 is procured by KSC (EG&G) and is used to regenerate 

the cation resin beds at the KSC CCF-39 demineralized 

water plant. HC1 is a common product with several 

vendors located in the immediate area; therefore, no 

procurement concerns exist. 

LIQUID NITROGEN 

LN2 is converted to GN2 through the use of mobile 

rechargers and stationary liquid vaporizers. Its uses 

include the manufacture of Liquid Air at KSC for SCAPE 

support, cryogenic testing of STS components and 

subsystems, a heat exchanger application to minimize 

L02F boiloff, backup for the low-pressure ECS GN2 

pipeline, and the requirements of institutional ground 

support facility operations. LN2 is procured by SA-ALC 

and can be provided by a number of suppliers. 

LIQUID OXYGEN (L02A) 

L02A is used as a Space Shuttle main propellant to 

support SSME combustion and for manufacture of liquid 

air for SCAPE and otheer Breathing Air requirements. 

L02A is procured by the SA-ALC and can be provided by a 

number of suppliers. 

REFRIGERANT-114 (R-114) (Dichlorotetrafluoroethane) 

Refrigerant-114 is procured by KSC (LSOC) and is used 

in the Orbiter ground coolant loop and in Spacelab. 

Refrigerant-114 is readily available and no procurement 

concerns exist. 

40 
I 

UNIVERSALLY-AVAILABLE STS FLUIDS/PROPELLANTS 

ITEM SODIUM HYDROXIDE-25 percent (NaOH-25) 

REMARKS NaOH-25 is used as a hypergolic oxidizer vapor scrubber 

solution at the pad and other support buildings. 

NaOH-25 is procured by KSC (EG&G), with four known 

suppliers in the Florida area. 

ITEM SODIUM HYDROXIDE-50 percent (NaOH-50) 

REMARKS NaOH-50 is procured by KSC (EG&G) and used to 

regenerate the anion and mixed resin beds at the CCF-39 

demineralized water plant. NaOH is readily available; 

therefore, no procurement concerns exist. 

41 
Report Documentation Page 

1. Report No. 

TM 102145 

2. Government Accession No. 

I 

and Subtitle lf%hiew of the Supply of Liquid Propellants 

17. Key Words (Suggested by Author(s)) 

& Other Fluids in Support of the Space Shuttle 

Program 

18. Distribution Statement 

7. AuthorM 

19. Security Classif. (of this report) 20. Security Classif. (of this page) 

Jnc 1 ass i f ied Unclassified 

Churchwell, S. E. (1) and Bain, A. L. (2) 

21. No. of pages 22. Price 

41 

-- 

9. Performing Organization Name and Address 

(1) EG&G Florida, Inc. (2) Center Support 

Kennedy Space Center Operations 

Florida, 32899 Kennedy Space Center 

Florida, 32899 

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 

NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 

3. Recipient's Catalog No. 

5. Repo~t Date 

March 1989 

6. Performing Organization Cade 

EG&G-630 

8. Performing Organization Rqxwt No. 

10. Work Unit No. 

11. Contract or Grant No. 

13. Type of Report and Period Covered 

14. Sponsoring Agency Code 

SI 

15. Supplementary Notes 

16. Abstract 

In this study, over twenty significant liquid propellants and other 

fluids were reviewed as to their supply in support of the Space Shuttle 

Program (SSP), primarily at KSC. The uniqueness of most of the products, either by their application or production characteristics, 

present a variety of supply issues to contend with. Each, however, is 

zritical to the success of the SSP. It becomes necessary to formulate, 

and maintain, a logistic approach to assure a continued availability ol 

each product. For convenience, two categories were established. One, 

labeled "limited-availability", represents those products wherein they 

sre single sourced, have production restrictions and/or there has been 

s history of supply problems. The other, labeled "universally-availsble", is characteristic of those having several sources and/or having 

little, if any, historical supply problems. This last category was no1 

2xamined in depth. Through concepts of establishing stockpile 

inventories, multiple supply contracts, or other arrangements, the 

supply of liquid propellants and other fluids can be assured. 

Space Shuttle Propellants, 

Shuttle Program Fluids Publically Available 

I I I 

ASA FORM 1628 OCT 06