CPC B64G 1/1078 (2013.01) [B64G 1/402 (2013.01); B64G 1/646 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A spacecraft refueling and storage system comprising: a first tank and a second tank for storing propellant;
a rotatable shaft to which the first and second tanks are mounted for rotating the first and second tanks about an axis of the shaft;
a drive motor for rotating the shaft so that upon rotation of the first and second tanks, liquid propellant is separated from gas in the propellant and settled to an outer portion of the first and second tanks;
a first flow path formed in the shaft;
a second and third flow path for transferring the settled liquid in the first tank and the second tank, respectively, to the first flow path; and
a fourth flow path for transferring fluid from the first flow path to the spacecraft.
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