Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs) are critical components in modern spaceflight, enabling lightweight storage of gases for propulsion, life support, and spacecraft operations. Their importance was underscored by the 2016 AMOS-6 accident, where a COPV failure inside a Falcon 9 LOX tank led to the rocket’s explosion—a stark reminder of the challenges of operating composite vessels in cryogenic environments.
​
Beyond launch vehicles, COPVs play essential roles in space: they pressurize rocket propellant tanks, power thrusters for spacecraft maneuvering, and store breathable oxygen and nitrogen for astronauts. On the International Space Station, systems like the Nitrogen/Oxygen Recharge System (NORS) demonstrate their value, providing life-sustaining air at pressures up to 10,000 psi to support daily operations and spacewalk preparation.
​
Through hard-earned lessons and continued innovation, COPV design and practice remain at the forefront of ensuring both mission success and crew safety.