Creare’s Cryocoolers Push the Envelope of Cryogenic Cooling

Creare’s Cryocoolers Push the Envelope of Cryogenic Cooling

Creare’s flight-like, high-capacity cryocooler has been installed for liquid oxygen condensation and storage testing as part of the CRYOFILL test program at NASA’s Creek Road Cryogenic Complex. These tests will validate cryocooler operation for use in future space exploration programs on the Moon, Mars, and other planetary surfaces. The cryocooler provides over 120 W of refrigeration at 90 K and over 200 W at 118 K, supporting a broad range of storage pressures for both liquid oxygen and liquid methane, respectively. The cooling capacity of this cryocooler represents a new paradigm for space cryocoolers. The cryocooler was developed and qualified under NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program and will play a critical role in enabling manned exploration of the solar system.

Creare’s cryocooler passed intensive environmental testing.