Elastic Mass Model Approach for Fuel Dynamics in Microgravity Environments

Managing fuel in the challenging conditions of zero gravity necessitates a profound grasp of fluid dynamics, particularly the pivotal role of surface tension. This study introduces a novel mechanical model to replicate fuel dynamics within a partially filled tank in zero gravity. Unlike traditional models, this model, with its six degrees of freedom and the implication of realistic liquid parameters, effectively captures the stochastic behavior of propellant mass. The model accounts for surface tension effects and elastic collisions with tank walls during orbital maneuvers. This novel elastic mass model overcomes the limitations of existing methods like the constrained surface model, pendulum-based, and spring-mass models, by leveraging a conceptual analogy rooted in Hooke’s Law and improved Hertz theory. Established simulations have demonstrated the model’s capability to imitate wobbling fuel motions and the resulting forces on orbiting spacecraft. Comparison with computational fluid dynamics results showed the auspicious potential of the model.