NASA Awards Liquid Hydrogen Supply Contracts to Support Rocket Fuel Needs
NASA has awarded contracts to Plug Power, Inc., based in Slingerlands, New York, and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to supply a combined total of nearly 37 million pounds of liquid hydrogen. This supply will be distributed to various NASA facilities across the United States. The contracts are part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to secure the critical fuel needed for its cryogenic rocket engines and aeronautics development.
The contracts, known as the NASA Agency-wide Supply of Liquid Hydrogen awards, are firm-fixed-price agreements. They include multiple delivery orders that are essential for NASA centers that rely on liquid hydrogen. This fuel, when combined with liquid oxygen, powers the agency’s cryogenic rocket engines. Additionally, the unique properties of liquid hydrogen support advancements in aeronautics research and technology. The total value of these combined contracts is approximately $147.2 million.
Details of NASA’s Liquid Hydrogen Supply Contracts
The contracts officially begin on December 1 and include a two-year base period. Following this, there are three one-year option periods that NASA may choose to exercise. If all options are exercised, the contracts will extend through November 30, 2030. This long-term agreement ensures a steady supply of liquid hydrogen to key NASA centers for nearly a decade.
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. will provide the majority of the liquid hydrogen supply, delivering up to about 36.5 million pounds. Their deliveries will serve NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and the Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The maximum contract value for Air Products is approximately $144.4 million.
Plug Power, Inc. will supply a smaller portion of the liquid hydrogen, delivering up to approximately 480,000 pounds. Their deliveries will support NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. The maximum contract value for Plug Power is about $2.8 million.
NASA Awards Liquid Hydrogen Contracts to Ensure Fuel Availability for Space Missions
By awarding these liquid hydrogen supply contracts, NASA is securing the essential fuel needed for its rocket engines and aeronautics research. The agency’s reliance on liquid hydrogen, combined with liquid oxygen, is critical for powering its cryogenic engines. These contracts guarantee that NASA’s centers will have access to this vital resource for years to come.
The contracts reflect NASA’s commitment to maintaining a reliable supply chain for the specialized fuels that support its missions. With the contracts spanning up to eight years, NASA ensures continuity in its operations and research programs. The collaboration with Plug Power and Air Products and Chemicals highlights the agency’s strategic partnerships with industry leaders to meet its demanding fuel requirements.
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Source: original article.