Sloshing dynamics-modulated fluid angular momentum and moment fluctuations driven by orbital gravity gradient and jitter accelerations in microgravity

Abstract

The dynamical behavior of spacecraft propellant affected by the asymmetric combined gravity gradient and jitter acceleration are studied. In particular the effect of surface tension on partially-filled rotating fluids applicable to a full-scale Gravity Probe-B Spacecraft dewar tank has been investigated. Three different cases of orbital accelerations: (a) gravity gradient-dominated, (b) equally weighted between gravity gradients and jitter, and (c) gravity jitter-dominated accelerations are considered. Fluctuations of angular momentum, fluid moment and bubble mass center caused by slosh wave excitations driven by gravity gradient and jitter accelerations are also investigated.