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NASA NTRS1996

Non-linear resonance of fluids in a crystal growth cavity

In the microgravity environment, the effect of gravity on fluid motion is much reduced. Hence, secondary effects such as vibrations, jitters, surface tension, capillary effects, and electromagnetic forces become the dominant mechanism of fluid convection. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate fluid behavior in microgravity with the ultimate goal of developing processes with minimal influence from convection. Industrial applications such as crystal growth from solidification of melt and protein growth for pharmatheutical application are just a few examples of the vast potential benefit that can be reaped from material processing in space. However, a space laboratory is not immune from all undesirable disturbances and it is imperative that such disturbances be well understood, quantifiable, and controlled. Non-uniform and transient accelerations such as vibrations, jitters, and impulsive accelerations exist as a result of crew activities, space vehicle maneuvering, and the operations of on-board equipment. Measurements conducted on-board a U.S. Spacelab showed the existence of vibrations in the frequency range of 1 to 100 Hz with a dominant mode of 17 Hz and harmonics of 54 Hz. The observed vibration is not limited to any coordinate plane but exists in all directions. Similar situation exists on-board the Russian MIR space station. Due to the large structure of its design, the future International Space Station will have its own characteristic vibration spectrum. It is well known that vibration can exert substantial influence on heat and mass transfer processes, thus hindering any attempts to achieve a diffusion-limited process. Experiments on vibration convection for a liquid-filled enclosure under one-g environment showed the existence of different flow regimes as vibration frequency and intensity changes. Results showed the existence of a resonant frequency, near which the enhancement is the strongest, and the existence of a high frequency asymptote. Numerical simulations of vibration convection have been conducted by Yurkov, Fu and Shieh, and by Wang. These analyses considered a two-dimensional air-filled cell under weightlessness condition and showed results similar to those of the experiments. It is not yet known whether resonance convection can be triggered by jitter alone or whether it requires the interaction of jitter with other convective forces in low gravity. An order of magnitude analysis, however, can be used to show the dependence of the resonance frequency on the fluid Prandtl number. Even though the onset of resonance convection may depend on other factors, results indicates that fluids with low Prandtl numbers are more susceptible to resonance than those with high Prandtl numbers. The current study is aimed at gaining additional insights to this problem using germanium as working fluid. Germanium was chosen for this analysis because of its common usage in solidification process and its relatively low Prandtl number (Pr = 0.02).

Wang, Francis C.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Combustion experiments in a zero-gravity laboratory

One of the payloads that the Shuttle will carry into low-earth orbit is the Spacelab, a laboratory designed by a European consortium which will enable scientist-astronauts to conduct research in a shirt-sleeve environment. The typical flight of seven days will permit numerous experiments to be conducted that take advantage of long-term reduced gravity. A description is presented of plans for the conduction of Spacelab experiments which are related to the study of combustion, taking into account also investigations performed in the preparation of such experiments. Attention is given to an overview study of combustion experiments in a space laboratory, droplet burning, flammability limits in a standard tube, the combustion of particle clouds, smoldering combustion in porous fuels, liquid pool burning, and combustion experimentation aboard the space transportation system.

Cochran, T. H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Growth hormone secretion during space flight and evaluation of the physiological responses of animals held in the research animal holding facility

The spaceflight of the Research Animal Holding Facility (RAHF) on the Space Laboratory 3 (SL 3) provided the opportunity to evaluate the suitability of the RAHF for housing and maintaining experimental animals during spaceflight, and to determine changes in the secretion of growth hormone during spaceflight. Using ground-based studies the following were investigated: the optimum conditions for creating gravitational force on space flight animals; neural pathways that may play a role in the space flight syndrome; and the time course of muscle atrophy due to hypodynamia and hypokenesia in hindlimb-suspended animals and the role of growth hormone in these processes.

Fast, Thomas N.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Animals in biomedical space research

Rat and squirrel monkeys experiments have been planned in concert with human experiments to help answer fundamental questions concerning the effect of weightlessness on mammalism function. For the most part, these experiments focus on identified changes noted in humans during space flight. Utilizing space laboratory facilities, manipulative experiments can be completed while animals are still in orbit. Other experiments are designed to study changes in gravity receptor structure and function and the effect of weightlessness on early vertibrate development. Following these preliminary animal experiments on Spacelab Shuttle flights, longer term programs of animal investigation will be conducted on Space Station.

Phillips, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Modeling and simulation for space medicine operations: preliminary requirements considered

The NASA Space Medicine program is now developing plans for more extensive use of high-fidelity medical simulation systems. The use of simulation is seen as means to more effectively use the limited time available for astronaut medical training. Training systems should be adaptable for use in a variety of training environments, including classrooms or laboratories, space vehicle mockups, analog environments, and in microgravity. Modeling and simulation can also provide the space medicine development program a mechanism for evaluation of other medical technologies under operationally realistic conditions. Systems and procedures need preflight verification with ground-based testing. Traditionally, component testing has been accomplished, but practical means for "human in the loop" verification of patient care systems have been lacking. Medical modeling and simulation technology offer potential means to accomplish such validation work. Initial considerations in the development of functional requirements and design standards for simulation systems for space medicine are discussed.

Non-programmatic↗

NASA NTRS2001

Requirements for Modeling and Simulation for Space Medicine Operations: Preliminary Considerations

The NASA Space Medicine program is now developing plans for more extensive use of high-fidelity medical Simulation systems. The use of simulation is seen as means to more effectively use the limited time available for astronaut medical training. Training systems should be adaptable for use in a variety of training environments, including classrooms or laboratories, space vehicle mockups, analog environments, and in microgravity. Modeling and simulation can also provide the space medicine development program a mechanism for evaluation of other medical technologies under operationally realistic conditions. Systems and procedures need preflight verification with ground-based testing. Traditionally, component testing has been accomplished, but practical means for "human in the loop" verification of patient care systems have been lacking. Medical modeling and simulation technology offer potential means to accomplish such validation work. Initial considerations in the development of functional requirements and design standards for simulation systems for space medicine are discussed.

Dawson, David L.↗

NASA NTRS1996

The Neurolab mission and biomedical engineering: a partnership for the future

Over the last five years, with the advent of flights of U.S. Shuttle/Spacelab missions dedicated entirely to life sciences research, the opportunities for conducting serious studies that use a fully outfitted space laboratory to better understand basic biological processes have increased. The last of this series of Shuttle/Spacelab missions, currently scheduled for 1998, is dedicated entirely to neuroscience and behavioral research. The mission, named Neurolab, includes a broad range of experiments that build on previous research efforts, as well as studies related to less mature areas of space neuroscience. The Neurolab mission provides the global scientific community with the opportunity to use the space environment for investigations that exploit microgravity to increase our understanding of basic processes in neuroscience. The results from this premier mission should lead to a significant advancement in the field as a whole and to the opening of new lines of investigation for future research. Experiments under development for this mission will utilize human subjects as well as a variety of other species. The capacity to carry out detailed experiments on both human and animal subjects in space allows a diverse complement of studies that investigate functional changes and their underlying molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms. In order to conduct these experiments, a wide array of biomedical instrumentation will be used, including some instruments and devices being developed especially for the mission.

NASA Program Flight↗

NASA NTRS2009

Research on the International Space Station - An Overview

The International Space Station (ISS) celebrates ten years of operations in 2008. While the station did not support permanent human crews during the first two years of operations November 1998 to November 2000 it hosted a few early science experiments months before the first international crew took up residence. Since that time and simultaneous with the complicated task of ISS construction and overcoming impacts from the tragic Columbia accident science returns from the ISS have been growing at a steady pace. As of this writing, over 162 experiments have been operated on the ISS, supporting research for hundreds of ground-based investigators from the U.S. and international partners. This report summarizes the experimental results collected to date. Today, NASA's priorities for research aboard the ISS center on understanding human health during long-duration missions, researching effective countermeasures for long-duration crewmembers, and researching and testing new technologies that can be used for future exploration crews and spacecraft. Through the U.S. National Laboratory designation, the ISS is also a platform available to other government agencies. Research on ISS supports new understandings, methods or applications relevant to life on Earth, such as understanding effective protocols to protect against loss of bone density or better methods for producing stronger metal alloys. Experiment results have already been used in applications as diverse as the manufacture of solar cell and insulation materials for new spacecraft and the verification of complex numerical models for behavior of fluids in fuel tanks. A synoptic publication of these results will be forthcoming in 2009. At the 10-year point, the scientific returns from ISS should increase at a rapid pace. During the 2008 calendar year, the laboratory space and research facilities were tripled with the addition of ESA's Columbus and JAXA's Kibo scientific modules joining NASA's Destiny Laboratory. All three laboratories, together with external payload accommodations, support a wide variety of research racks and science and technology experiments. In 2009, the number of crewmembers will increase from three to six, greatly increasing the time available for research. The realization of the international scientific partnership provides new opportunities for scientific collaboration and broadens the research potential on the ISS. Engineers and scientists from around the world are working together to refine their operational relationships and build from their experiences conducting early science to ensure maximum utilization of the expanded capabilities aboard ISS. This paper will summarize science results and accomplishments, and discuss how the early science utilization provides the foundation for continuing research campaigns aboard the ISS that will benefit future exploration programs.

Evans, Cynthia A.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA)

Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA) will be the first materials science experiment conducted in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) Facility at the International Space Station (ISS) Alpha. The launch is schedule for May 31, 2002. Using the specially developed furnace, 10 Te and Zn-doped single crystals of InSb will be directionally solidified in microgravity. A key goal of the SUBSA investigation is to (i) clarify the origin of the melt motion in space laboratories and (ii) to reduce the magnitude of the melt motion to the point that it does not interfere with the transport phenomena. These goals will be accomplished through a special ampoule and furnace design. A disk-shaped baffle, positioned close to the freezing front, is used to reduce melt motion. Furthermore, the solidification will be visualized by using a transparent furnace, with a video camera, continuously sending images to the earth. This allows detection of bubbles and melt de-wetting that could cause surface tension driven convection. In preparation for the space experiments, 30 ground-based experiments were conducted. The results of ground based tests and numerical modeling will be presented. Based on numerical modeling, 12 mm 1D silica ampoules were selected. The small diameter ampoule favors closer placement of the baffle to the interface, without excessive radial segregation caused by forced convection while providing more damping of natural convection. The parts in the silica ampoule include 2 carbon springs made by Energy Science Laboratories, Inc., a pyrocarbon-coated graphite cylinder, pyrocarbon-coated graphite a baffle with the shaft and the InSb charge with the seed crystal grown by W.A. Bonner of Crystallod Inc.

Marin, C.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Bioprocessing under microgravity--an introduction

The main biological processes presently considered for applications in space laboratories are: (i) bioseparation, (ii) cell cultivation and (iii) cell electrofusion. All three technologies were discussed by experts in the field at the 1988-COSPAR Meeting in Helsinki.

NASA Discipline Cell Biology↗

NASA NTRS1998

Nutrition, endocrinology, and body composition during space flight

Space flight induces endocrine changes that perturb metabolism. This altered metabolism affects both the astronauts' body composition and the nutritional requirements necessary to maintain their health. During the last 25 years, a combination of studies conducted on Skylab (the first U.S. space laboratory), U.S. Shuttle flights, and Soviet and Russian flights provides a range of data from which general conclusions about energy and protein requirements can be drawn. We have reviewed the endocrine data from those studies and related it to changes in body composition. From these data it appears that protein and energy intake of astronauts are similar to those on Earth. However, a combination of measures, including exercise, appropriate diet, and, potentially, drugs, is required to provide the muscle health needed for long duration space flight.

Flight Experiment↗

NASA NTRS2008

The Importance of the International Space Station for Life Sciences Research: Past and Future

Robinson, Julie A.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Final Technical Report for DoE award DE‐SC0023367 “Energetic Electron Transport in Magnetized Plasma with Magnetic Islands”

This project investigated how plasmas interact with energetic particles and solid materials under extreme conditions relevant to fusion energy, space plasmas, and planetary environments. Using experiments on the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, the research first examined how high-energy electrons move, become trapped, and are released in plasmas containing magnetic islands—structures commonly found in fusion reactors and Earth’s magnetosphere—providing new insight into particle transport and acceleration processes. The project also explored plasma-driven chemical reactions that can occur during meteoroid entry into planetary atmospheres, demonstrating that simple molecules such as ammonia can be produced and survive in high-temperature plasma conditions. Together, these results improve understanding of plasma behavior across laboratory, space, and planetary systems while informing fusion plasma control and plasma–material interaction studies. The project additionally contributed to workforce development by training graduate students, undergraduates, and early-career researchers and by disseminating results through peer-reviewed publications and international scientific conferences.

Orlov, Dmitri Mikhailovich [UC San Diego] (ORCID:0↗

NASA NTRS1974

Development of improved amorphous materials for laser systems

Crystallization calculations were performed in order to determine the possibility of forming a particular type of laser glass with the avoidance of devitrification in an outer space laboratory. It was demonstrated that under the homogenuous nucleating conditions obtainable in a zero gravity laboratory this laser glass may be easily quenched to a virtually crystal-free product. Experimental evidence is provided that use of this material as a host in a neodymium glass laser would result in more than a 10 percent increase in efficiency when compared to laser glass rods of a similar composition currently commercially available. Differential thermal analysis, thermal gradient oven, X-ray diffraction, and liquidus determination experiments were carried out to determine the basics of the crystallization behavior of the glass, and small-angle X-ray scattering and splat-cooling experiments were performed in order to provide additional evidence for the feasibility of producing this laser glass material, crystal free, in an outer space environment.

Neilson, G. F.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Planning Space Shuttle's maiden voyage

NASA's first Space Shuttle, Columbia, whose technological advances include a space laboratory, navigational and communication satellites, and planetary explorers, is examined, and the first few flights, scheduled for 1980, are described. The Shuttle employs an all-digital, all-electronic, computer-operated avionics system. The onboard data processing and software subsystem, encompassing five computers (four online and one backup), a data-bus network, bus terminals, and software, is analyzed in detail. Attention is given to the basic structure of the Orbiter (37.19 m in length and 23.77 m wingspan), its main engines, and the payload and cargo capacities (29,500 kg). A two-step program that could increase the power and duration of spaceflights is presented. The first step is the creation of a power extension package, using solar arrays, generating electricity to extend the basic five-day flight to 20 days, while the second step uses the same design to create a 25-kW power model capable of providing energy for a 50-day flight. Plans for construction of a manned space construction base and a larger power platform of 250 kW are also presented.

Malkin, M. S.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Selection of a Data Acquisition and Controls System Communications and Software Architecture for Johnson Space Center's Space Environment Simulation Laboratory Thermal and Vacuum Test Facilities

Upgrade of data acquisition and controls systems software at Johnson Space Center's Space Environment Simulation Laboratory (SESL) involved the definition, evaluation and selection of a system communication architecture and software components. A brief discussion of the background of the SESL and its data acquisition and controls systems provides a context for discussion of the requirements for each selection. Further framework is provided as upgrades to these systems accomplished in the 1990s and in 2003 are compared to demonstrate the role that technological advances have had in their improvement. Both of the selections were similar in their three phases; 1) definition of requirements, 2) identification of candidate products and their evaluation and testing and 3) selection by comparison of requirement fulfillment. The candidates for the communication architecture selection embraced several different methodologies which are explained and contrasted. Requirements for this selection are presented and the selection process is described. Several candidates for the software component of the data acquisition and controls system are identified, requirements for evaluation and selection are presented, and the evaluation process is described.

Jordan, Eric A.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Laboratory simulation of space aerodynamic phenomena - Satellite wake studies

The reasons for and the results of laboratory simulation studies of space plasma flow over obstacles are discussed in the context of satellite-ionosphere interactions and of forthcoming Skylab experiments. So far, it appears that ions passing through the plasma sheath are focused onto the wake axis, thereby creating an enhanced ion current which peaks at approximately a 'Mach' number of radii downstream from floating spherical bodies. The location of the peak enhancement shows a hyperbolic dependence on body potential, while its structure depends on the body cross-sectional geometry rather than on the axial dimension. There is a corresponding enhancement of the electron current coexistent with the ion-current enhancement. An electron temperature enhancement can sometimes occur in the near-wake 'ion void' region with a magnitude inversely proportional to charged particle density. Some supplementary experiments are suggested to support the planned Skylab experiments.

Samir, U.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Measuring electrically charged particle fluxes in space using a fiber optic loop sensor

The purpose of this program was to demonstrate the potential of a fiber optic loop sensor for the measurement of electrically charged particle fluxes in space. The key elements of the sensor are a multiple turn loop of low birefringence, single mode fiber, with a laser diode light source, and a low noise optical receiver. The optical receiver is designed to be shot noise limited, with this being the limiting sensitivity factor for the sensor. The sensing element is the fiber optic loop. Under a magnetic field from an electric current flowing along the axis of the loop, there is a non-vanishing line integral along the fiber optic loop. This causes a net birefringence producing two states of polarization whose phase difference is correlated to magnetic field strength and thus, current in the optical receiver electronic processing. The objectives in this program were to develop a prototype laser diode powered fiber optic sensor. The performance specification of a minimum detectable current density of 1 (mu)amp/sq m-(radical)Hz, should be at the shot noise limit of the detection electronics. OPTRA has successfully built and tested a 3.2 m diameter loop with 137 turns of low birefringence optical fiber and achieved a minimum detectable current density of 5.4 x 10(exp-5) amps/(radical)Hz. If laboratory space considerations were not an issue, with the length of optical fiber available to us, we would have achieved a minimum detectable current density of 4 x 10(exp -7) amps/(radical)Hz.

Source record↗