Abstract Currently, most satellite propulsion systems are mainly chemical propulsion, and liquid propellant is the necessary power fuel for the propulsion system. The working environment of microgravity occurs when the satellite is in orbit. According to the working characteristics of the satellite, a propellant management device of vane type is designed. The PMD is composed of a vertical guide plate and a liquid accumulator, which is applied to the propellant tank to store and manage the propellant. In this paper, the microgravity gas-liquid management and control mechanism of a propellant management device of vane type is studied by numerical simulation and tower drop test. The results of numerical simulation and tower drop test are consistent, which verifies the good fluid management characteristics of this type of propellant management device, and provides references for its engineering application and the design of this type of structure.