{"id":49303,"date":"2026-07-31T19:10:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T19:10:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alicatstage.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=49303"},"modified":"2026-07-31T22:15:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T22:15:58","slug":"dichtheitsprufung-von-ventilen-in-der-luft-und-raumfahrt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/de\/articles\/valve-leak-testing-aerospace\/","title":{"rendered":"Ventile f\u00fcr die Raumfahrt: Dichtheitspr\u00fcfungen f\u00fcr die moderne Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2em||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”Space Valves: Leak Testing, Optimized for Today\u2019s Aerospace Industry” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_free_form=”selector h1 {|| text-wrap: pretty;||}” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/space-valves-test-stand.webp” alt=”Illustration of a Space Valves test stand” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” module_id=”article-hero-image” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”1.5rem||||false|false” custom_css_free_form=”selector img {|| object-fit: cover;||}” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider color=”#2A3B47″ divider_weight=”2.5px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” height=”0px” custom_margin=”3rem||3rem||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/8Cq3VyjbqJ8″ image_src=”\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/8Cq3VyjbqJ8\/hqdefault.jpg” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” custom_margin=”||2rem|2rem|false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_css_main_element=” float: right;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”float: none;” custom_css_main_element_phone=”float: none;” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||2rem||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]The cadence of spaceflight has increased year over year in\u00a0the aerospace\u00a0community, with hundreds of launches scheduled just in 2026. Much of this\u00a0growth\u00a0can be attributed to the trend of aerospace companies reusing launch vehicles. \u201cWhere once every launch\u00a0required\u00a0building entirely new hardware, modern spaceflight increasingly resembles aviation: launch vehicles are prepared and\u00a0reflown\u00a0on regular schedules,\u201d writes Renz Soliman with\u00a0The Science Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The industry is expected to experience\u00a0even more\u00a0significant growth,\u00a0with the reusable rocket market\u00a0surpassing\u00a0$50 billion<\/a>\u00a0in\u00a0investment in\u00a0just the next few years.\u00a0“Market projections suggest that the reusable rocket market alone could exceed\u00a0$50 billion\u00a0by 2030. This growth is attracting investment from venture capital, private equity, and governments worldwide,”\u00a0reports The Science Times.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/8Cq3VyjbqJ8″ image_src=”\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/8Cq3VyjbqJ8\/hqdefault.jpg” disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||2rem||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”off|tablet” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text admin_label=”App Note Header – Challenge” module_class=”article-section-label” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#808080″ header_2_font_size=”28px” custom_margin=”||1rem||false|false” custom_css_free_form=”selector span {|| border-bottom: 1px solid #000;|| padding-bottom: 5px;||}” global_module=”46104″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Challenge<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Keeping up in today\u2019s space race” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||2rem||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

For engineers\u00a0in\u00a0aerospace,\u00a0this\u00a0growth opportunity\u00a0comes with\u00a0standards\u00a0and\u00a0deadlines\u00a0that\u00a0can\u00a0often be unforgiving.\u00a0Timelines are always tight in the space community. \u201cWe need things yesterday,\u201d\u00a0jokes\u00a0Kyle Meeuwsen,\u00a0lead\u00a0engineer\u00a0and founder of\u00a0Space Valves, an aerospace components supplier.<\/p>\n

He founded Space Valves because of the growing\u00a0need\u00a0in\u00a0aerospace for\u00a0components\u00a0that are\u00a0delivered\u00a0quickly and\u00a0can perform\u00a0without question.\u00a0\u201cThe supply chain\u2019s been the biggest issue and concern,\u201d says Kyle, whose experience\u00a0as a propulsion engineer\u00a0at Blue Origin\u00a0helped\u00a0shape his perspective on\u00a0aerospace manufacturing.<\/p>\n

Launch timelines are dependent on a number of factors lining up, and on the\u00a0performance of\u00a0every component.\u00a0Even the most basic\u00a0element\u00a0can\u00a0impact\u00a0the success \u2014 or failure \u2014 of a launch. Recall\u00a0the\u00a0delay\u00a0of\u00a0Boeing\u00a0Starliner\u2019s first manned launch<\/a>, which\u00a0was removed from the launch pad\u00a0just\u00a0two hours before scheduled liftoff: an oxygen relief\u00a0valve\u00a0was \u201cbuzzing,\u201d and\u00a0needed replacement\u00a0in the upper stage of Atlas V\u2019s Centaur.<\/p>\n

Reusing rocket parts creates more opportunity in the industry, making missions more affordable and sustainable. \u201cToday, reusable rocket technology is transforming how the world accesses space, slashing costs and opening possibilities once considered impossible,\u201d explains Renz Soliman with The Science Times.<\/p>\n

But\u00a0those rocket parts\u00a0still\u00a0require\u00a0rigorous testing, and\u00a0some components\u00a0will not\u00a0stand up to repeated use.\u00a0\u201cThose valves were designed with things like stainless housings that couldn’t be used on high pressure gaseous oxygen systems,\u201d he explains.\u00a0\u201cThey didn’t have isolated components, so the internals would wear out as these valves were reused over extended periods of time.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”App Note Header – Options” module_class=”article-section-label” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#808080″ header_2_font_size=”28px” custom_margin=”||1rem||false|false” custom_css_free_form=”selector span {|| border-bottom: 1px solid #000;|| padding-bottom: 5px;||}” global_module=”46105″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Options<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Aerospace moves too quickly for bubble counts” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||2rem||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]NASA sets industry standards\u00a0for\u00a0performance\u00a0testing\u00a0in aerospace<\/a>, but\u00a0the\u00a0type of\u00a0leak\u00a0test\u00a0varies\u00a0from application to application.\u00a0“There are a few ways to approach leak testing. The best\u00a0choice is\u00a0the\u00a0one that\u00a0optimizes\u00a0the\u00a0accuracy and repeatability\u00a0of the test,” explains\u00a0Mike Owen, Aerospace Market Specialist\u00a0at\u00a0Alicat\u00a0Scientific.<\/p>\n

In standard leak testing applications, the data collection processes can be cumbersome\u00a0and time-consuming. “For a NASA-approved leak test, techs are spending valuable time on these processes: about\u00a0five to ten minutes per valve in normal practice, with one to three minutes of actual bubble observation,” explains Mike Owen with\u00a0Alicat®<\/sup>.\u00a0“That kind of downtime, and the risk of inaccuracy, is not negligible.”[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

\u201cWe not only need to be cheaper and faster and higher performing, but we also need to provide better data to our customers.\u201d<\/pee> Kyle Meeuwsen, Space Valves<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||2rem||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Common leak testing methods, like bubble counts or pressure decay tests, can not only slow down the production process, but also come with risks to accuracy. Kyle with Space Valves explains: \u201cThere\u2019s a number of suppliers out there, where they’re doing bubble counts for leakage, and I just don\u2019t think that that cuts it,\u201d says Kyle. \u201cAs a startup in the aerospace community, we not only need to be cheaper and faster and higher performing, but we also need to provide better data to our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Space Valves wanted to give their customers in aerospace a high-performing component, and data to validate that performance. \u201cI got to jump in with newly designed hardware that wasn’t stuck with some sort of heritage configuration,\u201d Kyle explains. They needed a faster, repeatable option for measuring flow in their leak testing application, one that improved traditional test stand designs.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”App Note Header – Selection” module_class=”article-section-label” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#808080″ header_2_font_size=”28px” custom_margin=”||1rem||false|false” custom_css_free_form=”selector span {|| border-bottom: 1px solid #000;|| padding-bottom: 5px;||}” global_module=”46106″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Selection<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Aerospace leak testing with an Alicat mass flow meter” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||2rem||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Kyle was able to find\u00a0an option\u00a0with\u00a0Alicat\u00a0Scientific.\u00a0Alicat\u00a0Scientific\u00a0mass flow meters\u00a0have been integrated into leak testing applications in a range of environments, from\u00a0life support applications to welding stations.\u00a0The mass flow meters\u00a0characterize flow\u00a0for repeatable\u00a0results, and\u00a0come with an accuracy of ± 0.5% of reading and ± 0.1% of full scale.<\/p>\n

He integrated\u00a0Alicat’s\u00a0laminar differential\u00a0mass flow meter<\/a>\u00a0into his leak testing stand at Space Valves:\u00a0“We take the outputs, feed them back into our manufacturing process, and make sure that we iterate to provide the highest performing and highest quality valve possible,” explains Kyle.\u00a0Kyle\u2019s team is able to speed up\u00a0their\u00a0validation test procedure time\u00a0by\u00a090%, compared to other\u00a0testing\u00a0methods.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/space-valves-schematic.webp” alt=”Illustration of the Space Valves schematic” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”80%” custom_margin=”||2rem||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” sticky_enabled=”0″ max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”100%”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||2rem||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Using\u00a0the\u00a0Alicat\u00a0in their application\u00a0allowed Kyle and his team to deliver performance-rated components,\u00a0validated\u00a0through Space\u00a0Valves’\u00a0rigorous testing approaches.\u00a0“These were design choices that we made upfront to make sure that we could use a very\u00a0high volume\u00a0production line across multiple systems,” says Kyle.\u00a0“When we do our leak testing,\u00a0we’ve\u00a0found that\u00a0it’s\u00a0really important\u00a0to fully flow the valve during that leakage testing.\u00a0So\u00a0we’ll\u00a0do the leakage test,\u00a0we’ll\u00a0flip the valve around,\u00a0we’ll\u00a0forward\u00a0flow it a specific flow rate.”<\/p>\n

Through the use of\u00a0Alicat’s\u00a0mass flow meter<\/a>, Space Valves can fulfill\u00a0the\u00a0promise of rapid delivery and precision verification on its components.\u00a0“At the end of the day, the customer gets a very high performing valve,” explains Kyle.\u00a0He\u00a0expects\u00a0to see\u00a0more demands\u00a0for performance data from his customers, who want\u00a0data packages from Space Valves.\u00a0“That’s\u00a0very important to our customers who are now looking at longevity for their vehicles and reusability and rapid turnaround times.”[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”App Note Header – Outcomes” module_class=”article-section-label” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#808080″ header_2_font_size=”28px” custom_margin=”||1rem||false|false” custom_css_free_form=”selector span {|| border-bottom: 1px solid #000;|| padding-bottom: 5px;||}” global_module=”46107″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Outcomes<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”High performing components for flight-critical operations in aerospace” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||2rem|2rem|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0rem|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”2rem|0rem|||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”float: right;” custom_css_free_form=”selector figure {|| display: table;|| margin-left: auto;|| margin-right: auto;|| text-align: center;||}||||selector figcaption {|| caption-side: bottom;|| display: table-caption;||}||||selector img {|| margin-bottom: 1rem;||}” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_phone=”float: none;” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”float: none;” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″ height_last_edited=”on|tablet” height_tablet=”” max_width=”50%” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin_tablet=”1rem||||false|false” height_phone=”” custom_margin_phone=”1rem||||false|false”]<\/p>\n

\"Graphic<\/p>
credit: Space Valves<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||2rem||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

More than a dozen launches are scheduled\u00a0in\u00a0August of 2026\u00a0in the aerospace community\u00a0\u2014 a pace that has increased since the commercialization of space flight missions.\u00a0\u201cIf\u00a0[their]\u00a0ancillary components and valves don\u2019t need to be replaced after every mission, that allows\u00a0our customers\u00a0to keep up the pace and keep up the launch cadence,\u201d says\u00a0Kyle.\u00a0Today,\u00a0Space Valves components can be found on lunar spacecraft, upper stage, and main stage engines.<\/p>\n

With\u00a0Alicat\u00a0meters\u00a0in\u00a0its leak testing stand,\u00a0Space Valves\u00a0tests\u00a0components quickly and with confidence:<\/p>\n