PU insulation cools China's cryogenic rockets

摘要

Beijing-A new polyurethane foam insulation developed in China is designed to reduce pro-pellant evaporation in cryogenic rockets.The new product can raise insulation performance by 50% compared with conventional foam materials,according to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.The academy is affiliated to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation(CASC).Cryogenic rockets are typically fuelled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.Such fuels are greener,more energy efficient and less costly than other fuels,CASC said,but their evaporation loss is a major contributor to the rocket's short orbital period-they can only orbit for a few hours.