Book Description

Electric propulsion systems for space vehicles must be able to restart and operate at zero and low gravity. This operation can be achieved if the tankage delivers only single-phase propellants. The requirements for feed systems of electric engines are described briefly. Also, the 1.85-second drop- test facility is described and the testing techniques are discussed. The minimum energy principle is presented along with a method for determining the direction of mass transfer in tapered tubes and liquid-vapor interface shapes in an annular space between concentric cylinders. Possible feed systems for electric engines are given, which utilize surface tension for fluid positioning and transfer. Zero-gravity and static-fluid configurations in cylindrical and spherical containers are discussed along with experimental observations. The interface 'overshoot' of the equilibrium zero-gravity configuration is also discussed.