Does tank center of mass change as fuel burns?

[Jason_25]

I have seen this question before, but I can't find it through searching. Thanks for the help.

[bsalis]

No.

It stays in the same place, but loses mass obviously.

... and drag is reduced due the special aerodynamic "model"

[stupid_chris]

bsalis, don't play with new people like this!

Yes, your CoM will move as you burn fuel, so be careful if balance is important to your specific craft.

[Jason_25]

Thanks, that's convenient to know. I don't think he was playing with me, he was saying the tank center of mass will be the same but of course the vehicle center of mass may change.

[stupid_chris]

Yeah likely, I think I'm too tired to be on the forums, I need sleep (sorry bsalis lol)

[bsalis]

Yes... for an individual tank the CoM will stay in the same place as it empties.

As for your craft, that is a different matter. If you want the craft CoM to stay in the same place you need to arrange the tanks in a symmetric manner and have them drain symmetrically as well.