NASA Tests Nova-C Lander Prosumer Measurers

JAKARTA Measurements of propellants or fuel in space are not easy to do. The reason is, gravity in space is so small that the fluid will stick or float in the air.

This problem needs to be solved so that the propellant needs can be adjusted to the duration of the flight. Therefore, the United States Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) created a Radio Frequency Mass Measuring Charge (RFMG) to calculate the propellant.

This measuring device is being developed at NASA's Glenn Research Center and will be paired to the Nova-C lander. Later, RFMG technology will use radio waves and antennas in the tank to measure the remaining propellants available.

Nova-C, part of the Commercial Moon Loading Service (CLPS) initiative, is scheduled to launch on February 14. The launch of Nova-C will be a long-duration test for the RFMG as well as a determination of the future of the technology.

This is the first time we've got data like this for RFMG, said Deputy Manager of the cryogenic Liquid Management Portfolio Project, Lauren Ameen. If this demonstration is successful, NASA plans to develop the RFMG to its next level.

RFMG is a payload that can measure the cryogenic propellant used by spacecraft. Therefore, NASA and RFMG developers argue that this technology will be urgently needed to support long-term missions.

If RFMG manages to measure aircraft fuels such as liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, and liquid methane, this technology can help scientists maximize resources. This technology will also be useful for human landing missions on the Moon.