On-Orbit Superfluid Transfer:
Preliminary results from the SHOOT flight demonstration
Michael DiPirro and Peter Shirron
Code 713, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD 20771
James Tuttle
Hughes/STX, Inc.
Lanham, MD 20706
Published in Cryogenics 34 (1994) p. 349.
Preliminary results from the Superfluid Helium On-Orbit Transfer (SHOOT) Flight Demonstration which flew on space shuttle STS-57 in June, 1993 are presented. SHOOT demonstrated the technology required to transfer superfluid helium between dewars in low gravity. In addition a number of components developed for SHOOT were flight proven and are now available for use on other payloads. Included in this paper are a description of the transfer process, the transfer rates and losses, observations of the differences between ground transfers and those done on-orbit, and performance of a number of components. Among these components are liquid acquisition devices, phase separators, liquid/vapor discriminators, thermomechanical pumps, three types of valves, venturi flow meters, and a heat pulse mass gauging system. 
SHOOT
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