Factors Affecting the Utilization of the International Space Station for Research in the Biological and Physical Sciences (2003) / Chapter Skim
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2 Impact of ISS Changes on Physical Sciences Research
2 Impact of ISS Changes on Physical Sciences Research
Pages 13-28
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From page 13... ...
Because gravity plays a critical role in materials formation, it is necessary to understand and control the effect of gravity on the processes used to produce materials, and also to resolve fundamental scientific questions about materials phenomena by ~ The cell biology research carried out in the biotechnology program is discussed in other sections of this report. Protein crystal growth, also part of the biotechnology program, is not among the subdisciplines covered in this report, although it has been reviewed recently by the NRC (2000a)
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From page 14... ...
Subsequently, in the Core Complete design, MSRR1 is scheduled for January 2005 with an attendant slippage of 4 months, while MSRR2 and MSRR3 are canceled. The microgravity research program selected 26 materials science flight investigations for execution through 2008 (Wargo, 2002~.
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From page 15... ...
These investigations were designed to enhance the materials processing science base, thereby allowing improvements in metal casting technology; process modeling of casting and welding; design of alloys for automotive, aerospace, and computer applications; fabrication of new microporous materials for application in detergents and petroleum cracking; fabrication of alloys compatible with high-temperature applications; the manufacture of improved electro-optical materials; and the commercial production of bulk metallic glasses. As shown in Appendix A, seven flight investigations in materials science are planned for MSRR1 over the time frame 2005-2008.
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From page 16... ...
probably represents optimal restructuring for the ISS materials science program given the overall budget cuts in ISS research. This drastic curtailment is having a negative effect on the materials community, since the restructured ISS is not able to accommodate current and future PIs of approved proposals.
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From page 17... ...
Maximizing ISS Research Potential . The most effective option for maximizing the remaining research potential of the ISS in materials science would be to make resources available for the development of experimental modules for MSRR1.
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From page 18... ...
Combustion research issues that would be pursued on the ISS by investigators now in the ground and flight program include flammability limits and flame propagation of various solid and liquid fuels under microgravity conditions, combustion around single Mel droplets and internal droplet circulation, radiative quenching in flames, the character of soot/particle formation in microgravity, and the transition between smoldering fires and flames. Collectively, these fundamental investigations would contribute to spacecraft and building fire safety, reduced pollutant formation, increased engine efficiency, and education.
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From page 19... ...
The ISS resources reduced in the Core Complete design are crew time, upmass, and stowage volumes, all key to the combustion program. Assessing the impact of these reductions on the CIR experiments is difficult, since a prioritization for use of resources was not provided by NASA management.
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From page 20... ...
The EXPRESS racks cannot be easily modified into a substitute CIR owing to substantial requirements for flow control, diagnostics, automated exhaust treatment, safety, and high data acquisition and data storage. Assuming that the CIR is available, other factors limiting the use of the ISS for research in combustion science include crew time, stowage volume, upmass, and bandwidth for communications.
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From page 21... ...
on flame spread rates and flammability. The centrifuge module would enable simulation of partial gravity conditions for extended times; the longest test time available for examination of fire safety issues on Earth through aircraft-based tests approaches 1 minute for partial gravity (0.6 g)
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From page 22... ...
Hence, it is strongly recommended by the task group that the centrifuge, if flown, be utilized also for fire safety investigations in anticipation of human flights to Mars. FLUID PHYSICS Program Description The goal of the OBPR fluid physics program is to comprehend the fundamental physical phenomena underlying flows observed in nature and to aid the space program in its effort to develop new technologies or to adapt existing technologies to space applications.
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From page 23... ...
Compared with some other disciplines, however, the fluid physics program is well positioned to operate on the Core Complete ISS, although suboptimally in terms of numbers of experiments that can be performed. The loss of the SAR and associated resources for module development limits the type and number of experiments that can be performed.
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From page 24... ...
Investigations of Mechanisms Associated with Vijay Dhir Nucleate Boiling under Microgravity Conditions (boiling is a widespread natural and industrial process used, for example, in steam production in power plants) Carnegie Mellon University Washington State University University of California, Los Angeles Johns Hopkins University University of Colorado University of California, Santa Barbara University of California, Los Angeles Factors Limiting Utilization of the ISS Two main factors keep the fluid physics community from maximizing the remaining research potential of the ISS.
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From page 25... ...
The fluid physics program offers a tremendous scientific return for a relatively modest investment. FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS Program Description There are three principal research areas in the fundamental physics microgravity program: gravitational and relativistic physics, laser cooling and atomic physics, and low-temperature and condensed matter physics.
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From page 26... ...
Impact of ISS Changes Under the Rev. F model, one major fundamental physics facility was planned for the fundamental physics program on the ISS, and this facility has been retained under the Core Complete model.
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From page 27... ...
The changes made to the ISS program have directly affected these projects and prevented the PIs from giving them the priority that they would otherwise have had. Factors Limiting Utilization of the ISS There are two major problems limiting ISS utilization by the fundamental physics community: lack of resources and funding instability.
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From page 28... ...
Finally, the most critical step in maximizing the ISS research potential for fundamental physics is to restore the confidence of the research community. That step will require serious NASA commitments to preventing further slippage of experiment launch schedules, and maintaining adequate funding for those experiments selected for the ISS.
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