Advancing NASA Technology Priorities: Cryogenic Fluid Management

Florian Chavagnat, Ph.D. Candidate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 

Jason Hartwig, Ph.D., Research Aerospace Engineer, NASA’s Glenn Research Center 

Alexander van Dijk, Technologist, NASA’s Flight Opportunities program 

January 4, 2023

Community of Practice Webinar Series

NASA Flight Opportunities

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/flightopportunities/community-of-practice

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NASA FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES

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NASA Flight Opportunities

Session will start at 10 a.m. PT – Please mute your microphone and turn off your camera

Community of Practice Webinar Series – January 4, 2023

Florian Chavagnat, Ph.D. Candidate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 

Jason Hartwig, Ph.D., Research Aerospace Engineer, NASA’s Glenn Research Center 

Alexander Van Dijk, Technologist, NASA’s Flight Opportunities program 

Advancing NASA Technology Priorities: Cryogenic Fluid Management

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NASA FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES

Welcome to the Community of Practice Webinar Series!

First, a bit of housekeeping...

• Please mute your microphone and turn off your camera

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• Recordings for this and all future session will be posted on the Flight Opportunities 

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Advancing NASA Technology Priorities: Cryogenic Fluid Management

Florian Chavagnat, Ph.D. Candidate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 

Jason Hartwig, Ph.D., Research Aerospace Engineer, NASA’s Glenn Research Center 

Alexander van Dijk, Technologist, NASA’s Flight Opportunities program 

January 4, 2023

Community of Practice Webinar Series

NASA Flight Opportunities

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/flightopportunities/community-of-practice

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NASA FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES

Flight Opportunities Mission

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The Flight Opportunities program facilitates rapid 

demonstration of promising technologies for 

space exploration, discovery, and the expansion 

of space commerce through suborbital testing 

with industry flight providers.

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NASA FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES

Join us for future Community of Practice webinars!

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topic

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pportunities/newsletter

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Future webinars

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month at 10 a.m. PT

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Opportunities newsletter and website

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Advancing NASA Technology Priorities: Cryogenic Fluid Management

Florian Chavagnat, Ph.D. Candidate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 

Jason Hartwig, Ph.D., Research Aerospace Engineer, NASA’s Glenn Research Center 

Alexander van Dijk, Technologist, NASA’s Flight Opportunities program 

January 4, 2023

Community of Practice Webinar Series

NASA Flight Opportunities

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/flightopportunities/community-of-practice

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NASA FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES

Today’s Speakers

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Alexander Van Dijk 

Technologist

NASA’s Flight Opportunities program

Jason Hartwig, Ph.D.

Research Aerospace Engineer 

NASA’s Glenn Research Center

Florian Chavagnat

Ph.D. Candidate

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

(MIT)

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NASA FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES

www.nasa.gov

NASA Flight Opportunities

Community of Practice

January 2023 | Florian Chavagnat

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Advancing NASA Technology Priorities: Cryogenic Fluid Management

Florian Chavagnat, Ph.D. Candidate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 

Jason Hartwig, Ph.D., Research Aerospace Engineer, NASA’s Glenn Research Center 

Alexander van Dijk, Technologist, NASA’s Flight Opportunities program 

January 4, 2023

Community of Practice Webinar Series

NASA Flight Opportunities

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/flightopportunities/community-of-practice

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7 PIs: Emilio Baglietto / Matteo Bucci – Nuclear Science & Engineering at MIT

Multiphase closure modeling 

development for application to 

cryogenic boiling

Florian Chavagnat

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering

January 4th Presentation

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8 PIs: Emilio Baglietto / Matteo Bucci – Nuclear Science & Engineering at MIT

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RESEARCH MOTIVATIONS

• Two major development pathways to extend the range of cryogenic engines

Orbital fuel depots In-space re-ignitable engines

Figure: Concept of cryogenic orbital 

fuel/oxidizer depot by NASA (1971)

Figure: Vinci ESA cryogenic rocket 

engine with re-ignition capability 

delivering on multiple orbits Figure: Moon production of cryogenic 

propelant

In-Situ Propellant Production

LCH4, LOx and LH2

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Advancing NASA Technology Priorities: Cryogenic Fluid Management

Florian Chavagnat, Ph.D. Candidate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 

Jason Hartwig, Ph.D., Research Aerospace Engineer, NASA’s Glenn Research Center 

Alexander van Dijk, Technologist, NASA’s Flight Opportunities program 

January 4, 2023

Community of Practice Webinar Series

NASA Flight Opportunities

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/flightopportunities/community-of-practice

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13 PIs: Emilio Baglietto / Matteo Bucci – Nuclear Science & Engineering at MIT

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EXPERIMENTAL METHODS

RedLab’s CRYOgenic experiment

Loading of the experiment Apparatus in aircraft

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14 PIs: Emilio Baglietto / Matteo Bucci – Nuclear Science & Engineering at MIT

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EXPERIMENTAL METHODS

A world of experimental possibilities, 

e.g., saturated LN2 flow boiling in microgravity

Nucleate Boiling (~steady-state)

Film Boiling

Quenching

Starting to input heat Heat input stopped

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Advancing NASA Technology Priorities: Cryogenic Fluid Management

Florian Chavagnat, Ph.D. Candidate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 

Jason Hartwig, Ph.D., Research Aerospace Engineer, NASA’s Glenn Research Center 

Alexander van Dijk, Technologist, NASA’s Flight Opportunities program 

January 4, 2023

Community of Practice Webinar Series

NASA Flight Opportunities

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/flightopportunities/community-of-practice

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NASA FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES

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Thank you! 

Flight Opportunities website: 

http://nasa.gov/flightopportunities

Contact us:

NASA-FlightOpportunities@mail.nasa.gov

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