Introduction to Surface Tension Tank

in order to ensure the normal operation of the satellite in orbit, the attitude and orbit of the satellite should be controlled constantly. therefore the satellite has to carry the propellant and the thruster. the vessel, which contains the propellant and can realize separation of liquid from gas in space by making use of surface tension, is referred to as the surface tension propellant tank. it can provide gas-free propellant to the satellite’s thruster under space micro-gravity condition environment, thus it is essential for the satellite.
the series product of surface tension tank is one of the main equipment manufactured by lanzhou institute of physics, chinese academy of space technology (cast). the φ330mm surface tension tank has been applied to the hy-1 small satellite developed by cast for offshore resources survey. its main technical specifications are as follows:
volume:           18l
weight without fuel:  3.5kg
height:            420 mm
max. diameter:     375mm
working pressure:   2.0 mpa
burst pressure:     8.3 mpa