Air Force Research Laboratory Space Cryogenic Technology Research Initiatives

Abstract

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate is actively pursuing cryocooler and cryogenic integration research to support technology needs for the Air Force, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA, formerly the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization), and the Department of Defense (DoD). This paper presents an overview of the in-house and external applied research efforts on a number of fundamental issues toward the development of long-life strategic cryocoolers and cryogenic integration technology. External activities include Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) development, AFRL funded activities at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), and funded research at Oxford University. In house research efforts include work on advanced regenerators for Stirling cycle cryocoolers, and continued in-house research on products from the SBIR program. Additionally, this paper examines future research trends for AF and DoD cryogenic technology.