Sign In
Learn bits
Science & Tech.
Mahesh

14/09/24 10:37 AM IST

What is helium and why is it used in rockets?

In News
  • SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission, which finally launched recently, was delayed because of helium issues on ground equipment.
Helium use on Spacecraft
  • Helium is inert — it does not react with other substances or combust — and its atomic number is 2, making it the second lightest element after hydrogen.
  • Rockets need to achieve specific speeds and altitude to reach and maintain orbit.
  • A heavier rocket requires more energy, not only increasing fuel consumption but also needing more powerful engines, which are more expensive to develop, test, and maintain.
  • Helium has a very low boiling point (– 268.9 degree Celsius), allowing it to remain a gas even in super-cold environments, an important feature because many rocket fuels are stored in that temperature range.
  • Helium is used to pressurise fuel tanks, ensuring fuel flows to the rocket’s engines without interruption; and for cooling systems.
  • As fuel and oxidiser are burned in the rocket’s engines, helium fills the resulting empty space in the tanks, maintaining the overall pressure inside.
  • Because it is non-reactive, it can safely mingle with the tanks’ residual contents.
Helium leaks
  • Helium’s small atomic size and low molecular weight mean its atoms can escape through small gaps or seals in storage tanks and fuel systems.
  • But because there is very little helium in the Earth’s atmosphere, leaks can be easily detected — making the gas important for spotting potential faults in a rocket or spacecraft’s fuel systems.
  • The frequency of helium leaks across space-related systems, some engineers say, have highlighted an industry-wide need for innovation in valve design and more precise valve-tightening mechanisms.
Source- Indian Express

More Related Current Affairs View All

14 Nov

India’s tea, sugar exports raise sustainability concerns at home

'India is one of the world’s largest agricultural product exporters.' The Indian agricultural export is valued at $53.1 billion in 2022-2023, up from $8.7 billion in 2004-

Read More

14 Nov

Superbugs and the looming public health crisis

'LESS than a hundred years ago, antibiotics ushered in an era that transformed medical care.' It saved millions of lives and accelerated the development and use of complex surge

Read More

13 Nov

Healthy longevity initiative

'The World Bank report proposes a healthy longevity initiative (HLI) which takes a life course approach.' Briefly, healthy longevity entails sharply reducing avoidable death and

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps