Fundamental Physics and Chemistry Space Science in the Twenty-First Century -- Imperatives for the Decades 1995 to 2015 (1988) / Chapter Skim
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1. Introduction
1. Introduction
Pages 59-65
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From page 59... ...
Unlike, for example, a space telescope or a gravity probe, which provide unique windows to the world beyond the surface of our planet, microgravity science provides just one especially new way of looking at a vast range of phenomena. Thus, general areas of opportunity are emphasized here rather than specific projects.
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From page 60... ...
In addition, there are a number of other situations discussed below where removal of gravitational effects could conceivably reveal entirely new and unexpected phenomena. In presenting specific examples of how a m~crogravity environment may be used to carry out significant scientific research, the task group will focus on several broad categories of phenomena distinquished by the manner in which gravitational forces affect the states or processes involved.
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From page 61... ...
The interest here is in processes rather than simply states of equilibrium, and the potential relevance of the microgravity environment stems from the fact that gravity makes it difficult or impossible to disentangle one process from another. In the case of the fluid mixture, the evolution of a precipitation pattern uncler conditions of diffusion control is of great fundamental interest; but simple diffusion ordinarily is disrupted by sedimentation the lighter precipitates float to the top and the heavier ones sink- before quantitatively satisfactory measurements can be completed.
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From page 62... ...
In general, however, the task group believes that ultimately the greatest commercial benefits of microgravity science will be gained from interactions between basic and applied research, rather than from direct efforts to manufacture or process materials in space. As we gain understanding of the conditions under which gravity fundamentally alters structures and dynamic processes, novel applications are likely to develop.
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From page 63... ...
It seems highly likely that within the next decade well before a microgravity facility is apt to be in full operation aboard a space station we will be able to perform accurate numerical sunulations of many of the systems discussed in this report. Fully three-dimensional simulations of fairly complex hydrodynamical flows, flame fronts, or solidification patterns seem to be only slightly beyond the reach of current sup ercomputers and numerical algorithms.
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From page 64... ...
A crucial ingredient of a successful microgravity program, the task group believes, should be a weli-equipped, scientifically staffed research center that functions much as a national laboratory does. The purpose of this center would be to provide leadership in both the scientific and the technological aspects of niicrogravity research.
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From page 65... ...
Successful implementation of such a program requires extensive ground-based preparation of individual projects, starting with the careful definition of the basic questions to be addressed, and cont~nuing with detailed simulations and design studies for experiments. This is a serious effort for which, the task group believes, the rewards will be substantial.
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