Role of Helium in Rockets | 20 Sep 2024
Two NASA astronauts aboard Boeing’s Starliner will remain on the International Space Station (ISS) for an extended period due to a faulty propulsion system, which has been affected by helium leaks.
- Past missions affected by helium leaks include ISRO’s Chandrayaan 2 and ESA’s Ariane 5.
- About Helium (He):
- It is the second-lightest element after hydrogen, characterized as a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and inert gas with an atomic number of 2.
- Helium is a stable, non-reactive noble gas. While non-toxic, it cannot be breathed on its own as it displaces the oxygen needed for respiration.
- It has a very low boiling point (-268.9° C), allowing it to remain a gas even in super-cold environments, making it useful for cryogenics.
- This helps reduce rocket weight and energy needs, which lowers fuel consumption and engine costs.
- Rocketary Applications:
- Maintains consistent fuel flow by pressurising tanks.
- Assists in cooling systems for storing rocket fuel and oxidizer at very low temperatures.
- Fills empty space in tanks as fuel is used, keeping pressure stable.
- Helium is also used in industrial welding, leak detection systems, etc.
- Some launches such as ESA’s Ariane 6 have experimented with other inert gasses like argon and nitrogen, which can be cheaper alternatives. However, helium remains the most widely used gas in the space industry.
Read More: Cryogenics, Astronauts Stuck in ISS.