Demonstrating Rocket Fuel Transfer in Space

3-Second Blueprint (English)

1. In microgravity, gas bubbles float freely inside propellant tanks and must be kept away from engine inlets and transfer ports.
2. Spacecraft settle liquid propellant using either small ullage thruster burns or centrifugal acceleration from spinning docked vehicles.
3. Pumping propellant between docked tanks dynamically shifts the combined center of mass, requiring controlled spin to prevent gas leaks.