04/06/2026
Fuel sloshing in microgravity can be mission-critical, influencing spacecraft stability during delicate operations such as docking or servicing. In the weightless environment of orbit, liquid propellant can oscillate freely, introducing internal disturbances that complicate navigation, control, and overall mission assurance. As spacecraft undertake increasingly complex tasks, these dynamics become a growing operational risk.
The SLOSH-CAT project is tackling this challenge head-on. By studying how propellant motion interacts with guidance and control systems, the project team are generating data that will enable more robust modelling and smarter control algorithms. Conducted at our ISAM Robotics Facility, the work simulates close-proximity space operations, reducing risk before deployment.
As missions become more complex and autonomous, mastering fluid behaviour in microgravity is no longer optional, it is foundational to the safety and reliability of the in-space economy.
Read more here: https://bit.ly/4afs0cT
This project is a collaboration with the University of Sydney and Space Machines Company, supported by funding from the UK Space Agency.
