NASA Glenn Research Center Creek Road Complex—Cryogenic Testing Facilities Original Research Article

Due to expansion at neighboring Cleveland Hopkins Airport, several NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) facilities have been relocated to the Creek Road Complex. The complex consists of the Small Scale Multi-purpose Research Facility (SMiRF), Cryogenic Components Lab Cell 7 (CCL-7), and a shop building. The facilities have been updated and include state-of-the art technology. SMiRF is a liquid hydrogen/liquid nitrogen (LH2/LN2) test facility used to conduct research in a 7400 L vacuum chamber. The chamber simulates space environment and launch vehicle ascent profile. SMiRF handles 5680 L of LH2. CCL is a LH2/LN2 facility to perform small scale proof of concept tests for components and processes. It handles 1130 L of liquid hydrogen. Both facilities handle cryogens at sub-atmospheric pressures.