HARDWARE / PRODUCTUpdated 25 Jul 2026

12″ Cryogenic Prevalve

VACCO Industries
12″ Cryogenic Prevalve

A 12-inch cryogenic prevalve developed by VACCO for the SLS Core Stage, controlling propellant flow and supporting chill down and safing of the Main Propulsion System.

Typed specifications22 values

Discloses 3 of 9 fields engineers filter by in this category (category median 3).

Mass
42.64 kg
converted from lb · datasheet p.3 45.36 kg weight
Max operating pressure (MEOP)
12.41 bar
product page 18.96 bar main valve operating pressure  |  27.58–51.02 bar pneumatic actuator operating pressure  |  91.01 bar
Media / propellant
cryogenic (LOX or LCH4 or LH2)
LH2 (Type II) configuration · datasheet p.1 cryogenic (LOX or LCH4 or LH2) LO2 (Type I) configuration
Component
valve
datasheet p.1
Valve type
other
pneumatically actuated prevalve, segmented visor element · datasheet p.1
Cycle life
1 000
product page
Flight heritage
visor design has a 25-year service record and is Space Shuttle qualified
datasheet p.1
Proof pressure
24.61 bar
main valve · datasheet p.1 87.91 bar pneumatic actuator
Burst pressure
28.48 bar
main valve · datasheet p.1 117.21 bar pneumatic actuator
External leak rate (as printed)
GHe 300 SCIM; GH2 2,000 SCIM (at operating pressure, ambient)
datasheet p.1
Pressure drop at rated flow
0.017 bar
LH2, at 15 psig inlet · datasheet p.1 0.034 bar LO2, at 45 psig inlet
Response time
750 ms
max · closing · datasheet p.1 1 500 ms max · opening
Position indication
yes
electrical position indicator device signifies open or closed… · datasheet p.1

Each value is typed with its unit and measurement condition and cites the datasheet page it was taken from. Nothing is guessed: a field that is absent here has not been published by the manufacturer. machine-extracted ✓ checked by NewSpace Market ✓ manufacturer confirmed by the manufacturer.

As published by the supplier16 lines, in the manufacturer's own wording
Product types
Cryogenic ball valves; cryogenic fill & drain valves; cryogenic prevalves
Featured product
12 in. cryogenic prevalve, SLS Core Stage
Functions
Propellant chill-down, engine flow control, MPS safing
Flight heritage
Apollo, Space Shuttle, Space Launch System (SLS)
Operating pressure
1 x 10E-10 Torr to 120 psig
Proof
180 psig
Burst
300 psig max
Operating control pressure
750 +/-50 psig norm
Actuation control pressure
880 psig max
Proof control pressure
1,320 psig max
Burst control pressure
2,200 psig max
Flow coefficient (Cv)
55.0
Flow rate
153 gal/min., LH2 @ 50 psig min
Pressure drop
1.5 psig max
Weight
8.55 lb
Life cycles
1000

About

VACCO’s 12″ Cryogenic Prevalve takes its heritage from the Space Shuttle Program and will fly aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) Core Stage. It is used within the Main Propulsion System (MPS) to support propellant system chill down, control propellant flow to the engines, and safe the MPS when necessary. VACCO is described as the premiere supplier of critical cryogenic and pneumatic space flight components to U.S. manned space and expendable launch vehicle programs, with products used throughout the MPS on programs such as Apollo, Space Shuttle, and now SLS. Due to VACCO’s large number of heritage designs, the company can provide qualified, flight-proven valves and controls for virtually every part of the MPS system, in many cases offering more than one technical approach to give customers greater flexibility in vehicle design.

Documentation

Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.

Source: www.vacco.com ↗

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