Learn about cryogenic fluid management at NASA during a special presentation by Wesley Johnson, a NASA cryogenic engineer from the Glenn Research Center. Johnson will discuss why NASA uses and needs cryogenics; its current work with and challenges of cryogenics; what cryogenic fluid management is and why gravity is important; and how it plays into NASA’s big exploration goals.

The free event takes place in MSOE’s Todd Wehr Conference Center, 1047 N. Broadway, on Thursday, April 14 with a social and refreshments at 5 p.m. and Johnson’s presentation at 6 p.m. followed by questions. Complimentary parking is available in the Broadway Lot, across from the Todd Wehr Conference Center. Please RSVP online. If you have questions, please email MechEngDept@msoe.edu or call (414) 277-7375.

Johnson is visiting MSOE through the university’s partnership with NASA for student senior design projects. He is advising a team of mechanical engineering seniors who are researching and developing methods to reduce the rate of boil-off of fuel in a rocket’s second stage booster (known as Centaur). The booster is fueled by liquid hydrogen oxidized with liquid oxygen. In order to extend the operational lifespan of NASA’s Centaur upper stage, the team has investigated possibilities including explosively removing unneeded sections of the structure, and using frozen water to divert the heat loads from reaching the fuel tank.

The presentation is sponsored by MSOE and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) with support from the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC).