TCNJ's NASA Human Lander Challenge Team Selected to Present at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) NASA Human Lander Challenge Team has been selected to present their mechanical engineering senior project at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Their project addresses the challenge of transferring liquid propellant in low Earth orbit by using a positive expulsion piston system known as the Cryogenic Orbital Siphoning System (CROSS). This system uses an internal tank piston to separate the liquid and vapor phases of the propellant and generate the motive force needed for transfer. To support this mechanism, the team also developed the Cryogenic Vapor Actuated Pneumatic System (CVAPS), which supplies pressurized gaseous propellant to drive the piston. They validated their concept using a custom-built testing apparatus that simulates cryogenic propellant behavior with liquid and gaseous nitrogen. Their solution is designed to enable in-orbit refueling of spacecraft traveling to the Moon and other planets, with the broader goal of supporting longer-duration space missions.

The team consists of co-captains Vaishnavi Adusumilli and Mohamed Eladawy, along with Kyle Luis, Pierce Rubenstein, and their advisor, Dr. Mohammed Alabsi.