Abstract:

In order to explore related techniques and solutions suitable for on-orbit refueling of cryogenic propellants, literature investigation and comparative analysis are conducted to summarize the recent research and the key techniques associated with propellant on-orbit refueling. Moreover,the applicability of the existing refueling schemes and techniques for cryogenic propellants is investigated, and a suggestive research project is proposed for guiding the domestic researches.Conclusions have been drawn as follows: 1) Gas-liquid separating, mass gauging, boil-off mass controlling as well as fluid drive circulating techniques have a direct influence on both structure and filling performance of propellant on-orbit refueling systems. 2)The special properties of cryogenic propellants such as the low boiling point and the small surface tension require of gas-liquid separation, thermal protection and other refueling techniques higher performance. 3)The advanced techniques including surface tension propellant tank for gas-liquid separation,fiber optic mass gauging,radio frequency mass gauging(RFMG), multilayer insulation and thermodynamic vent system(TVS) would be the key to achieve cryogenic propellant on-orbit resupply and well suitable for cryogenic propellants and microgravity environment.

Key words: Cryogenic propellant, On-orbit refueling, Deepspace exploration;Gas-liquid separation;Filling scheme