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  "The production of large tanks for cryogenic fuels"

  Archive copy is a poor photocopy. Prepared for presentation at Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Raketentechnik und Raumfahrt. (German Society for Rocket Technology and Astronautics). Given by E. Harpoothian, Chief Engineer, Structures Department, Development Engineering.; Tanks for cryogenic fluids, as used in the Saturn space vehicles, have reached an advanced stage of design and development. Many of the structural features of the NASA/Douglas Saturn tanks, fabricated of 2014-T6 aluminum alloy, were first developed for the booster of the Thor ballistic missile, which later found extensive use in putting space vehicles into orbit. There is a mutual dependence of important factors related to design concepts, selection of materials, processing techniques, and fabrication methods. It is shown that this mutual dependence must be considered if a successful vehicle is to emerge from design and development. Details of vehicle structure, provision for insulation, and manufacturing methods are presented. Criteria for the selection of materials is shown to be dependent on strength, ductility, weldability, toughness, fabricability, behavior at cryogenic temperatures, and on manufacturing methods and inspection techniques.