Modal evaluation of fluid volume in spacecraft propellant tanks

Abstract

Propellant mass-gauging in unsettled (sloshing) fluids is an important and unsolved problem in spacecraft operations and mission design. In the present work, we demonstrate the efficacy of the experimental modal analysis technique in determining the volume of fluid present in model spacecraft propellant tanks undergoing significant sloshing. Using data acquired over approximately 37 minutes of time in zero-gravity conditions provided over two years of parabolic flights, we estimate the resolution of the technique at low tank fill-fractions where other mass-gauging techniques are known to fail.

A sounding rocket payload experiment on zero gravity fuel gauging using modal analysis

“…Our previous work on parabolic flights has demonstrated viability of the technique and provided a rough estimate of the resolution in volume measurement possible with the technique [Mathe et al, 2012].…”