Spacecraft Pointing Control and Zero-gravity Slosh – Knowledge Payload

Earth, Moon, and Mars imaging satellites depend on rapid and accurate pointing maneuvers, which can be affected by fluid behavior. In particular, vehicles using liquid propellants require accurate prediction of loads on the propellant tank (from liquid pressure and viscous shear) and the rate of damping of liquid motion. To better understand fluid behavior and its effect on spacecraft pointing, researchers have developed a Spacecraft Pointing Control and Zero-Gravity Slosh Knowledge payload, the data from which will provide unique comparison cases and may help enable highly fuel-efficient designs.