Xenon & Krypton Loading Carts
Advanced ground support equipment for Electric Propulsion (EP) satellites. We provide specialized loading carts, ensuring high purity, precision mass filling, and minimal gas loss during ground operations.
Optimizing Electric Propulsion Fueling
Electric propulsion is revolutionizing satellite maneuverability, relying heavily on rare gases such as xenon (Xe) or krypton (Kr). However, loading these expensive and highly pure gases requires specialized Ground Support Equipment (GSE). Air Liquide’s loading carts provide a highly accurate, zero-contamination solution for safely loading LEO, MEO, and GEO satellites prior to launch, guaranteeing operating simplicity and precise propellant mass control.
Tailored configurations for specific orbits
We design different loading carts optimized to answer our customer’s needs.
Small Loading Cart (LEO/MEO satellites)
Designed for smaller satellites requiring less than 100 kg of propellant.
- Performance: Operates at a precise low flow rate of 1 g/s.
- Architecture: Features a highly transportable, three-module design: a gas management module, a compression module, and a dedicated vacuum and analysis module to ensure absolute purity.
Large Loading Cart (GEO satellites)
Engineered for heavy telecommunications satellites that require large volumes (>100 kg) of EP propellant.
- Performance: Capable of delivering high flow rates of approximately 10 to 15 g/s for rapid fueling.
- Architecture: Based on a fully integrated compressor system for maximum throughput.
Key operational benefits include:
- Mass Filling Accuracy: Ensures the exact required propellant load is onboard for critical mission fuel budgets.
- High Level of Purity: Advanced vacuum protocols prevent any contamination of the delicate rare gas systems.
- Minimum Gas Loss: Smart compression and recovery designs ensure that costly noble gases are not wasted during the filling and disconnection procedures.
- Customizable & Expanded Capabilities: Differentiating add-ons, including different high pressure options (200 or 300 bar), maintenance and spare kits, recovery line, etc, are available to meet the most demanding requirements. (Contact us for the full list of technical configurations)
Designed for Launchpad Ergonomics
Beyond technical performance, our loading carts are engineered specifically for the realities of ground operations. They feature exceptional transportability (easy to move between cleanrooms and launchpad facilities), operating simplicity, and an architecture that is easy to maintain. This allows ground crews to execute complex loading operations seamlessly under the strict time constraints of a launch campaign.
Trusted by Leading Satellite Constellations
With a dedicated manufacturing capacity of up to 10 highly specialized units per year, Air Liquide successfully serves major players in the New Space and legacy satellite markets.
Our loading technology has been adopted by industry leaders, and has been in operation for over 8 years, providing essential ground support for major constellations. This track record demonstrates exceptional reliability in fast-paced launch preparation environments.
Documentation
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Rare gases loading cartsDownload the document PDF (540.28 KB)
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