Emily Beckman
Purdue University
Small satellites (SmallSats) have been used with increasing frequency in recent years as a low-cost method of performing science in space without the need to design a multimillion-dollar full-scale satellite. The propulsion system for SmallSats requires significant development to reach maturity as these systems currently have relatively low technology readiness levels. This needed development is primarily due to the limited space available on these satellites. One possible solution to the problem is the development of irregularly shaped, conformal propellant tanks capable of filling in the leftover available space within the satellite bus. Slosh in all propellant tanks must be considered to ensure the craft can handle the forces and moments exerted by the movement of the fluid. Traditional methods used to model propellant slosh in cylindrical and capsule-shaped tanks cannot be directly applied to conformal tanks because the irregular geometry will produce less periodic motion. This study will investigate the behavior of fluid in these conformal tanks using a combination of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and Surface Evolver. Physical testing of conformal propellant tanks may be used to verify the results of the computer models. In addition, fluid slosh as it interacts with a propellant management device (PMD) will be modeled. Research will focus on the low range of SmallSat tank sizes, such as for CubeSats, but the ability of these models to scale up to larger SmallSat sizes will be investigated.