Abstract: This paper is focused on the accurate dynamics modeling of a multi-tank spacecraft through the Lagrangian approach. The sloshing liquid in the tanks is represented by a constraint surface model for liquid sloshing. The equivalent slosh forces and torques acted on the spacecraft hub, when the spacecraft is excited by a set of arbitrary complex excitations in zero-g environment, are compared with the Flow3D results, and the results show good agreements. Based on the derived mathematical model, a kind of compensation controller is developed for jitter-suppressing in attitude motion of this liquid-filled spacecraft, when the spacecraft executes three-axial-stabilized attitude maneuvers.

Key words: Constraint surface model for liquid sloshing, Large amplitude liquid slosh, Multi-tank spacecraft, Three-axis-stabilized attitude maneuver, Compensation control