Low-gravity materials experiments in the Space Station Freedom

Abstract

The science and hardware programs laying the science and technology framework for experiments to be conducted aboard SSF are described. Six microgravity facilities planned for the Laboratory Module encompass the Fluid Physics/Dynamics Facility, investigating fundamental fluid behavior; the Advanced Protein Crystal Growth Facility, growing high-quality crystals for pharmaceutical, medical, chemical, and biotechnology applications; the Biotechnology Facility, investigating microgravity effects on biological processes and living organisms at the cellular level and on the purification and production of biological materials; the Space Station Furnace Facility, conducting metal and alloy solidification experiments; the Modular Containerless Processing Facility, supporting experiments through levitation techniques; and the Modular Combustion Facility, performing studies of fundumental combustion processes.