Uncertainty Analysis and Improvement of Propellant Gauging System Applied in Space

Abstract

Propellant Gauging is of vital importance to a spacecraft at the end of its life. Based on the Monte Carlo Method, uncertainty analysis and the improvement of propellant gauging using gas injection have been studied. As a result of the analysis, the gauging uncertainty has weak relation to the uncertainties of the volumes of the injection room and tank, the uncertainties of the pressure, and the temperature in the injection room. Relatively, the uncertainties of the temperature and pressure in the tank have a great effect on the gauging uncertainty. By improving the uncertainties of the tank pressure and temperature within 0.04% and 0.4%, the final gauging uncertainty can be obtained within 0.4%. Ground tests have been conducted and the results came out with approximately 0.4% error, well within the theoretical analysis.