Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32700: Chilling Innovation: The Quest for Zero Boil-Off in Space Cryogenics

When storing super-cold liquids like liquid hydrogen or oxygen in space, one of the biggest challenges is preventing them from warming up and boiling off. The 'Zero Boil-Off Tank' experiment tackled this problem by developing advanced cryogenic storage technologies designed to keep these valuable resources cold without constant loss.

In space missions, especially long-duration ones to the Moon or Mars, efficient cryogenic storage is essential. These super-cooled liquids serve as both fuel and life-support resources. However, due to heat leakage, these liquids tend to boil and evaporate, creating a continuous loss over time.

Led by Dr. Mohammad Kassemi from Case Western Reserve University and supported by NASA Glenn Research Center and ZIN Technologies, the experiment tested a combination of insulation methods, active cooling technologies, and real-time monitoring systems aboard the International Space Station (ISS). It flew during Expeditions 45/46, 47/48, and 53/54.

The zero boil-off approach relies on cryocoolers — devices that actively remove heat — to keep the tank contents at a stable low temperature. These systems were tested in the unique microgravity conditions of the ISS to validate their performance in real operational scenarios.

The results demonstrated promising efficiency and reliability, indicating that long-term cryogenic storage is feasible without significant loss. This advancement supports deep space exploration missions and has applications in terrestrial industries like liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation and medical storage of cryogens.

This project not only pushed the boundaries of thermal engineering but also laid the groundwork for sustainable human presence in space by ensuring essential resources remain usable throughout a mission.

Get certified with over 100 hours of immersive, self-paced learning in cosmology, space technology, and climate science through the Agnirva Space Internship Program. Join, complete virtual projects, and earn a digital certificate to showcase your space fluency in interviews, resumes, and beyond.