Researchers from Omsk State Technical University have unveiled innovative approaches to building Angara-A5 rocket tanks that promise higher productivity and lower costs. This information was shared with socialbites.ca by the Ministry of Education and Science.
The first breakthrough centers on an enhanced method for fabricating the structural shell of the rocket using friction stir welding. In constructing a fuel tank, the shell is formed by joining several pre-shaped curved panels, either conical or cylindrical. A creased, waffle-like texture can create trouble when bending the crust, leading to defects. The Omsk team has demonstrated, through computer simulations, how to neutralize this issue, improving the reliability of the shell formation process and reducing scrap rates.
In addition, developers have designed a compact mobile machine for the rapid internal processing of welded tanks. Its compact size keeps costs around 10 million rubles, a fraction of the price of large, numerically controlled machines—roughly fifty times cheaper. The device autonomously travels within the tank, bringing a notable boost to production efficiency. All components for the machine are of domestic origin, with validation testing expected to proceed in 2022.
The innovations are slated for application in the assembly line for Angara-A5 launch vehicles at the Polet production facility, leveraging a new test complex to support production. If scaled, these advancements could translate into meaningful reductions in manufacturing costs and potentially increase the cadence of space launches. These developments align with broader efforts to advance domestic space capability and secure more routine access to space, a topic of interest to partners across North America who track propulsion and tank fabrication technologies. (Citation: Ministry of Education and Science)