In addition to the ongoing research on bone loss in zero gravity and the broader field of space biology, NASA is conducting Zero-Boil-Off (ZBO) Tank experiments to address the challenge of managing cryogenic propellants in space. The experiments aim to enable long-duration space exploration, including future Moon and Mars missions. The current practice of venting boil-off vapor into space is not sustainable for preserving cryogenic fuels in space. The ZBO approach, which relies on active mixing and cooling mechanisms, offers a 42% saving of propellant mass per year compared to passive methods.
The ZBO Tank experiments are being conducted onboard the International Space Station (ISS) and include investigating self-pressurization and jet mixing, studying the effects of non-condensable gases, and examining droplet phase change effects. The results of these experiments will inform the development of the ZBO propellant preservation method and contribute to the design of future spacecraft. This research is crucial for the advancement of space exploration and has potential applications in hydrogen energy on Earth [a5db4179].