// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Pressure Vessel
A pressure vessel is a container designed to hold gases or liquids at a pressure significantly different from the surrounding atmosphere. In aerospace, these are used for storing propellants or high-pressure gases.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A pressure vessel is a sealed container engineered to safely store fluids (gases or liquids) at pressures substantially higher or lower than ambient, critical for propellant tanks, life support systems, and high-pressure gas storage in aerospace.
BACKGROUND
Space technology is technology for use in outer space. Space technology includes space vehicles such as spacecraft, satellites, space stations and orbital launch vehicles; deep-space communication; in-space propulsion; and a wide variety of other technologies including support infrastructure equipment, and procedures.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- pressurized tank
- high-pressure container
- storage tank
USAGE NOTE
Designing lightweight yet robust pressure vessels is a major challenge in spacecraft engineering.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Pressure Vessel.
Designs and manufactures advanced pressure vessels in-house, including the massive stainless steel propellant tanks for its Starship vehicle and Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) for storing high-pressure gases on its rockets.
Conducts research, development, and extensive testing of pressure vessels for aerospace applications, including large-scale cryogenic propellant tanks and advanced lightweight composites at facilities like the Marshall Space Flight Center.
Develops and integrates large-scale pressure vessels, such as the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks for the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage, and vessels for life support and propulsion systems on spacecraft like the CST-100 Starliner.
Specializes in the production of solid rocket motors and boosters, which are highly engineered pressure vessels designed to withstand the extreme pressures of propellant combustion. They also produce tanks for satellites and other spacecraft.
Manufactures lightweight carbon composite pressure vessels that serve as the primary propellant tanks for its Electron and Neutron launch vehicles, leveraging advanced materials to reduce structural mass.
As the prime contractor for Europe's Ariane launchers, it designs and builds the large, complex cryogenic tanks used to hold super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants.
A company specializing in the design and manufacturing of advanced, lightweight composite pressure vessels, including linerless tanks, for aerospace applications such as propellant storage and high-pressure gas containment.
Manufactures and integrates various pressure vessels for its space systems, including the propellant and life-support tanks for the Orion spacecraft, as well as tanks for satellites and strategic missile systems.