Copenhagen Suborbitals Rocket Propellant Tank Test Has Come Off As Planned

Copenhagen Suborbitals has completed the critical stage of testing 304L Rocket Propellant Tanks. The main goal was to harden the tanks, making them tougher and more lightweight at the same time.

Copenhagen Suborbitals tanks: Innovative and Irreplaceable

Propellant tanks are going to feed Spika rocket engines with liquid oxygen and ethanol. Its mass flow will achieve 50 litres per second. Therefore, they have to be light and rigid. The tanks are made of 3-millimetre 304l stainless steel with a unique weld technology.

Copenhagen Suborbitals rocket tank test objectives and results

The Copenhagen Suborbitals rocket propellant tank test evaluated the leaking and made the tanks stronger by deforming them. The experts filled a tank with water and heightened the water pressure to make it resemble the pressure during the flight. What they wanted to achieve is slightly expanding the tank, like a balloon.According to Copenhagen Suborbitals, expansion is necessary and inevitable. If the tank’s steel is thick enough to let it remain the same size, the tank will be too heavy. The results are pretty impressive! The tank diameter has increased, and no leaks were detected during the Copenhagen Suborbitals rocket tank test.