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NASA has completed a complex series of tests on one of the
largest composite cryogenic fuel tanks ever manufactured, bringing the
aerospace industry much closer to designing, building, and flying lightweight,
composite tanks on rockets.
“This is one of NASA’s major technology accomplishments for
2014,” said Michael Gazarik, NASA’s associate administrator for Space
Technology. “This is the type of technology that can improve competitiveness
for the entire U.S. launch industry, not to mention other industries that want
to replace heavy metal components with lightweight composites. These tests, and
others we have conducted this year on landing technologies for Mars vehicles,
show how technology development is the key to driving exploration.”