The Fluid Science Laboratory and its Experiment Container Program on Columbus

Abstract

The Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL), a multi-user facility developed and built by the European Space Agency (ESA), is a payload element for the ESA’s Columbus module of the Int’l Space Station (ISS). A first batch of four Experiment Containers (EC’s) is currently under development for FSL. Their scientific topics are: emulsions, geophysical flows, mass transfer across interfaces and foams. This paper shortly describes FSL and these EC’s, with an emphasis on the stimuli and diagnostics specifically developed for each EC. A second EC batch of four EC’s is shortly described as well. The FSL and the EC’s development/integration schedules are provided. INTRODUCTION The FSL is a multi-user facility (see Fig.1). It is one of four facilities developed within the Microgravity Facilities for Columbus (MFC) programme of ESA. Its Flight Model is currently being tested at the Rack Level Test Facility (RLTF) in Bremen, before integration into the Columbus Laboratory, to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2005 according to the present planning. The FSL will host sequentially Experiment Containers, each one being built specifically for a field of the fluid science. The FSL will allow, among others, the investigation of areas such as geophysical flows, interfacial heat and mass transfer, diffusive instabilities, interfacial tension and adsorption mechanisms, boiling, critical point phenomena, crystal growth, emulsions, foams and directional solidification within transparent media. Owing to its adaptable diagnostic tools and its modularity on several levels, complementary science areas such as colloid and aerosol physics, particle agglomeration and plasma crystals are envisaged. __________________________________________ FLUID SCIENCE LABORATORY (FSL) FSL Description The FSL is built to host one EC (40 x 28 x 27 cm), located within the Central Experiment Module (CEM1). At this location, the EC is surrounded by a variety of optical diagnostics provided by the Facility Core Element (FCE): Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI), Wollaston interferometry in 2 perpendicular directions Schlieren in two perpendicular directions, telecentric visualisation, velocimetry (light sheet technique, perpendicular planes with different colours), laser scattering. Fig. 1: FSL Engineering Model Facility Core Element (FCE) Optical Diagnostics Module (ODM) Central Experiment Module (CEM2) Central Experiment Module (CEM1). (EC located inside) Stowage Container 2 or Upgrade Volume EC Utility Lines Avionics Air Assembly Secondary Water Loop