KESS2 MRes Studentship: Design and development of a cryogenic pressure vessel for spacecraft application

This is a funded MbyRes, including a generous stipend and tuition fees, with well-resourced circumstances for a successful scholarship.

Here is an exciting opportunity to study a technology which could lead to entirely new approach of design and development of cryogenic pressure vessels for spacecraft application.

The selected candidate will apply their analytical, computational, and experimental skills to design and develop new light weight composite cryogenic pressure vessels for next generation space applications. This project will allow the candidate to develop transferable knowledge and skills in this most exciting and active field of aerospace research.

This Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (KESS) project will be held in the Faculty Computing Engineering and Science at the University of South Wales. KESS is a programme funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) awarded by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) in the Welsh Government. The project will focus on design and development of advanced cryogenic high-pressure vessels for space applications. The project will address many challenging several issues associated with design, manufacture and testing of high-pressure composite cryogenic tanks. The outcome of the project will lead to new methods of developing space launch vehicles and create an impact on space next generation space exploitation.

The proposed research project is supported by ISP International Space Propulsion Ltd., who is one of the leading SMEs in UK providing consultancy and technology demonstrators for space industry in design, manufacture and testing of systems and components for space applications. One of the main strengths of the company is design and manufacturing of Cryogenic fuel tanks for space flights. The company is now looking for developing advanced composite high-pressure cryogenic fuel tanks for low cost space launching vehicles.



Programme of research:
The design and development of composite cryogenic tanks is a critical step in creating the next generation space exploration. The development of pressurised composite structures for cryogenic tanks and feed lines are key enabling technologies for performance and low-cost economical launch vehicles for future space transportation. These composite structures have various issues; structural scaling issues, analysis methodologies, structural health monitoring, damage tolerance, and repair scenarios. However composite cryogenic tankage is the most complex and suitable system to provide a breakthrough in technology for economical space flights. This project will have a new approach of defining composite materials, structural design, manufacturing technology through a series of composite high-pressure vessel development activities and comprehensive non-destructive test program, to meet aggressive performance goals for the target applications.

Application Process:
To download an application package, please visit: https://gradschool.southwales.ac.uk/thinking-applying/specific-funded-studentships/

For any queries on eligibility, please contact: KESS Team at Research and Innovation Services, University of South Wales: [Email Address Removed] Tel: 01443 482578

For informal enquiries or further programme information, please contact:
Dr Rukshan Navaratne ([Email Address Removed]).