Microgravity fluid physics and transport phenomena experiments planned aboard the International Space Station

Abstract

The International Space Station (ISS) with its first two elements already launched in 1998, provides the microgravity research community with a tremendous opportunity to conduct long-duration microgravity experiments which can be controlled and operated from their own laboratory. Frequent planned shuttle flights to the Station will provide opportunities to conduct many more experiments than were previously possible. NASA Glenn Research Center is in the process of designing a Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF) to be located in the Laboratory Module of the ISS. The FCF will accommodate multiple users and allow a wide range of experiments to be conducted so that best use is made of available resources. This paper provides an overview of the plan for utilizing the International Space Station to conduct fluids and transport experiments that are vital to NASA’s mission. The current plan includes 15 microgravity fluid physics and transport phenomena experiments representing a broad cross-section of the fluid physics and transport phenomena including multiphase flow and phase change: physics of colloids; flow of granular materials; mechanics of foams; stability; and interfacial phenomena. A brief description of each planned experiment and its significance is provided.