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T0327-P

Propellant Mass Gauging in Microgravity with Electrical Capacitance Tomography

PI: Jed Storey, Brandon Marsell (Co-I), NASA/Kennedy Space Center

Better mass gauging accuracy in launch vehicle and spacecraft propellant tanks reduces uncertainty, residuals, and required margins, which reduces risk and increases performance. The Propellant Mass Gauging in Microgravity with Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) experiment aims to determine if ECT enables better mass gauging accuracy at all fill levels. When tested in 1 g, ECT worked during slosh and boiling. It should, theoretically, work for free-floating and variable-density liquids, making it applicable to all phases of launch vehicle and spacecraft flight. ECT uniquely tracks propellant distribution in 3D in real time.
TFAWS2022 briefing

Propellant Mass Gauging in Microgravity with Electrical Capacitance Tomography (2023 NASA Technical Publication)

Technology Areas (?)
  • NA

Technology Details

  • Selection Date
    INTERNAL2021
  • Program Status
    Completed
  • Current TRL (?)
    Unknown
    Successful FOP Flights
  • 1 Parabolic

Development Team

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