Axisymmetric liquid sloshing under low-gravity conditions

A numerical simulation program has been developed for the determination of dynamic liquid behaviour in partially filled cylindrical containers during weightlessness. The program, based on the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations, is capable to treat axisymmetric flow: arbitrary free-surface shapes are allowed. In the paper some examples are presented showing liquid response to rotation and axial vibration. The numerical simulations provide information which is used in the definition and evaluation of an experiment onboard Spacelab. The combined theoretical/experimental investigation is directed towards a more efficient design of attitude control systems