Research of combustion process of construction polymeric materials in zero-gravity

Abstract

In order to provide fire safety of inhabited pressurized compartments of manned spacecraft (hereinafter InPC SC), a research of combustion process of construction polymeric materials in zero-gravity conditions was carried out. The research was practiced in a flying bench IL-76, in a free-falling container, in an experimental unit (hereinafter – EU) “Ploskiy kanal” (two-dimensional duct), where combustion conditions of polymeric materials were close to combustion conditions in zero-gravity. Such conditions were modeled via decrease of intensity of natural convection on the long-term orbital station “Mir” on EU “Skorost” in an orbital flight. On the basis of research results of the physical model of combustion process of polymeric materials in zero-gravity were formed. Previously unknown material combustion parameters, introduced as fire danger indexes to practice of design of new means and methods of fire safety provision in InPC SC, were discovered. A fundamentally modern technology of fire suppression in InPC SC is presented. Inhabited pressurized compartments of the Russian segment of the International space station are equipped with automatic fire extinguishing system designed on the basis of results of the research.