Liquid Oxygen Tank

The liquid oxygen tank is an aluminum monocoque structure composed of a fusion-welded assembly of preformed, chem-milled gores, panels, machined fittings and ring chords. It operates in a pressure range of 20 to 22 psig. The tank contains anti-slosh and anti-vortex provisions to minimize liquid residuals and damp fluid motion. The tank feeds into a 17-inch-diameter feed line that conveys the liquid oxygen through the intertank, then outside the ET to the aft right-hand ET / orbiter disconnect umbilical. The 17-inch-diameter feed line permits liquid oxygen to flow at approximately 2,787 pounds per second with the SSMEs operating at 104 percent or permits a maximum flow of 17,592 gallons per minute. The liquid oxygen tank's double-wedge nose cone reduces drag and heating, contains the vehicle's ascent air data system and serves as a lightning rod. The liquid oxygen tank's volume is 19,563 cubic feet. It is 331 inches in diameter, 592 inches long and weighs 12,000 pounds empty.