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Youngblood, W. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Youngblood, W. W..

Experiments to ensure Space Station fire safety - A challenge

Three experiments have been formulated in order to address prominent fire safety requirements aboard the NASA Space Shuttle; these experiments are to be conducted as part of a Space Station-based Technology Development Mission for the growth phase of Space Station construction and operation. The experiments are: (1) an investigation of the flame-spread rate and combustion-product evolution in the burning of typical spacecraft materials in low gravity; (2) an evaluation of the interaction of fires and candidate fire extinguishers in low gravity; and (3) an investigation of the persistence and propagation of smoldering and deep-seated combustion in low gravity.

Youngblood, W. W.↗

Equipment concept design and development plans for microgravity science and applications research on space station: Combustion tunnel, laser diagnostic system, advanced modular furnace, integrated electronics laboratory

Taking advantage of the microgravity environment of space NASA has initiated the preliminary design of a permanently manned space station that will support technological advances in process science and stimulate the development of new and improved materials having applications across the commercial spectrum. Previous studies have been performed to define from the researcher's perspective, the requirements for laboratory equipment to accommodate microgravity experiments on the space station. Functional requirements for the identified experimental apparatus and support equipment were determined. From these hardware requirements, several items were selected for concept designs and subsequent formulation of development plans. This report documents the concept designs and development plans for two items of experiment apparatus - the Combustion Tunnel and the Advanced Modular Furnace, and two items of support equipment the Laser Diagnostic System and the Integrated Electronics Laboratory. For each concept design, key technology developments were identified that are required to enable or enhance the development of the respective hardware.

Uhran, M. L.↗

Concept development evaluation for John Deere/UA STS middeck experiment location

The purpose of this effort was to consider and evaluate some specific concepts for performing a number of extremely low gravity (i.e., microgravity) experiments involving the directional solidification of samples of high carbon, cast iron alloys. The specific experiments considered herein were conceived to permit scientific investigation of the resultant microstructures and mechanical properties of the test samples after the microgravity environment processing. This study was limited to consideration of the NASA/MSFC furnace payloads, referred to herein as the Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (ADSF) systems. Three ADSF systems were reviewed and are as follows: (1) Low temperature ADSF (ADSF-1); (2) High temperature ADSF (ADSF-2); and (3) Advanced ADSF (AADSF).

Youngblood, W. W.↗