Airgas, Syensqo Support NASA Artemis II Launch

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, and specialty materials provider Syensqo both played critical roles in supporting NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight of the Artemis program and the first human journey into lunar space in more than 50 years.

The Artemis II mission sent a four-person crew around the moon during a 10-day flight and is intended to support NASA’s plans for a long-term lunar presence and future missions to Mars.

Airgas supplied the high-pressure nitrogen required for launch operations at the Kennedy Space Center. According to the company, the nitrogen was managed and delivered from its Merritt Island facility to support the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket during final countdown and liftoff.

Airgas said its support for Artemis II builds on a relationship with NASA that spans more than 50 years. The company provides high-flow nitrogen pumping, pipeline services, onsite gas supplies and air separation units for rocket testing and launch applications.

Meanwhile, Syensqo supplied high-temperature ablative materials for the solid rocket motor nozzles used in the SLS boosters. According to the company, the materials are designed to provide insulation and thermal protection by absorbing and dissipating heat generated by hot exhaust gases.

Syensqo also supplied glass-phenolic structural overwrap materials designed to reinforce the nozzles and provide strength under extreme thermal and mechanical conditions. The company said its materials support the reliability and safety of propulsion systems used in the Artemis program.