Sloshsat-FLEVO

Launch data: Designation  28544 / 05005C Launch date  12 Feb 2005 - 21:03 UT Launch site  Ko, ELA-3 Launch vehicle  Ariane-5ECA (V-164) Mission  Technology fluids in weightlessness Elliptical Earth orbit on Feb 13 - 02:52 UT: Perigee / Apogee  244 x 35776 km Eccentricity   Inclination  7.03° Period  631.73 min

Spacecraft data:

Sloshsat monted on the Ariane rocket

Mounting the electronics sensors on Sloshsat´s tank.

Description:

• The Sloshsat-FLEVO (Sloshsat Facility for Liquid Experimentation and Verification in Orbit) is a satellite to investigate the behavior of liquids in weightlessness. The payload of the satellite consists of an experiment tank with elaborate instrumentation. The tank shape is a circular cylinder with hemispherical ends and no internal structures. The volume of the tank is 87 liters. The tank will be partially filled with 33.5 liters of water. With a sensor system, the liquid height at the tank wall will be measured at 270 locations. Additional sensors are provided at a few locations to measure liquid height with a better resolution, liquid velocity at the wall, pressures and temperatures. The mass of the dry satellite is approximately 70 kg. The fluid/rigid mass ratio is about 0.5.
• The objectives of the Sloshsat-FLEVO experiment are to:
  • Obtain flight data to verify the adequacy of existing analytical fluid dynamics models, and indicate where improvement is needed
  • Obtain flight data to verify adequacy of existing computational fluid dynamics software numerical models, and indicate where improvement is needed.
  • Characterize the dynamic interaction between liquid motions and spacecraft
  • Provide understanding of the motions of liquid with a free surface in a low gravity environment
  • Generate phenomenological information on less well organized flow patterns as a basis for further mathematical modeling
  • Provide relevant information for the design of liquid management techniques in micro-gravity
  • Obtain data on diagnostic instruments performances.
  • and to develop and qualify a low-cost small spacecraft (S/C)-Bus
• Sloshsat-FLEVO was to be launched on a Shuttle, as it was to use the Shuttle as a data relay. Only a non ISS flight was acceptable due to security reasons. But as no Shuttle flight opportunities were available due to the Columbia disaster, it has been modified for direct data transmission to enable launch on an Ariane-5ECA qualification flight. It will be released from top of the MaqSat B2 dummy payload.
• This is the first time that a satellite has been dedicated to studying fluid behaviour in weightlessness. Spacecraft transporting supplies to the International Space Station, carrying out repairs to disabled communication and observation satellites or heading for other planets, often carry large quantities of fluids onboard in the form of propellant or water. This is why it is important to fully understand the effect a liquid’s movement can have on the attitude control of these spacecraft.

Mission details:

Astrophilately covers:

Launch cancel Kourou.

Headquarter cancel Paris.