Systems and methods for refueling spacecraft

摘要

Systems and methods (200) for refueling spacecraft are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method (200) for transferring propellant (122,322) from a first spacecraft (110,330) to a second spacecraft (160,360) includes releasably connecting (202) a first propellant conduit (132a) carried by the first spacecraft to a second propellant conduit (132b) carried by the second spacecraft, and releasably connecting (204) a first ullage conduit (142a) carried by the first spacecraft to a second ullage conduit (142b) carried by the second spacecraft. The method further includes transferring (210) propellant from a first propellant tank (120,320a,b) carried by the first spacecraft to a second propellant tank (170,170a,b) carried by the second spacecraft via the first and second propellant conduits. As the propellant is flowing from the first propellant tank to the second propellant tank, the method includes transferring (212) ullage (123) from the second propellant tank to the first propellant tank via the first and second ullage conduits (142a,b).