Scientists in many fields would like to perform experiments on
the International Space Station (ISS) to take advantage of the
unique environment of microgravity (which is the near-absence
of gravity). The ISS will provide the opportunity for scientists
to perform microgravity tests over much longer time periods than
previously available on the space shuttle--months rather than
hours or days--providing more data that could lead to new discoveries.
Many of the experiments on ISS will be conducted through the use
of new microgravity science facilities. A microgravity science
facility is a complete system of on-orbit and ground (on-Earth)
hardware, software, operations, and plans that have been optimized
to perform sustained microgravity research in one or two scientific
disciplines.
The facility concept includes hardware that remains on-orbit (because
of its general usefulness) and a small amount of unique hardware
that is developed for each principal investigator. Such unique
hardware customizes the facility to perform a given principal
investigator's experiment effectively. Many facilities are planned
for the ISS to accommodate scientists' needs. While the quality
and quantity of scientific data are being improved, per-experiment
costs will be lowered relative to other ways of performing such
experiments.
The NASA Lewis Research Center is developing a Fluids and Combustion
Facility (FCF) to perform microgravity fluids and combustion experiments
on the ISS. The FCF will be the lowest cost, most resource efficient
approach to performing fluid physics and combustion science experiments
on the ISS. Experiments performed in the FCF will be 3 to 9 times
less expensive than similar Spacelab experiments. Moreover, use
of key ISS resources, such as upmass, power, cooling, and astronaut
crew time, will be cut by the same factor.
Over its life cycle, FCF experimentation will be no more expensive
than that on current low-cost carriers, such as sounding rockets,
Get-Away-Special (GAS) canisters, and shuttle middeck lockers.
However, it will be far more effective. In spite of its low cost,
FCF will be more capable than the most sophisticated and expensive
microgravity fluids or combustion hardware yet flown, and these
capabilities will be broad and adaptable. Thus, other disciplines
(besides fluids and combustion) may also be accommodated.
As the result of FCF concept development, many innovations have
been invented at Lewis by a team of Lewis civil servants and contractors
from Analex, Aerospace Design & Fabrication, Inc. (ADF), NYMA,
Inc., and Sundstrand. The electrical power control units (EPCU)
developed are considered "next-generation" in comparison
to other power units designed for the ISS. Standardized drawers
that house the principal-investor-specific hardware were designed
that provide 50 percent more mass-carrying capacity than other
ISS packaging concepts; a more rugged construction with greater
containment of noise, vibration, electromagnetic interference,
and thermal effects; and a reconfiguration setup that does not
require any tools and saves astronaut time. Various structures
and systems make use of commercial off-the-shelf hardware, saving
time and cost. The most advanced video capability of any ISS facility
will be available on the FCF; for example, video frame rates from
still pictures to as high as 1000 frames/sec. Computers will be
designed to allow for evolutionary upgrades to keep the data systems
state-of-the-art. Bandwidths to send data back to Earth have been
reduced through onboard data processing. A unique four-sided optics
bench for fluids experiments was invented that will provide investigators
real-time response to experiment data as it occurs, save astronaut
time, and save hardware development cost and time. Digital imaging,
laser lighting, onboard image analysis and compression, and other
imaging innovations to support advanced technology will all be
utilized on the FCF. The imaging system will use
Desert Storm
advanced technology to automatically track and zoom-in on moving
ìtargetsî of scientific interest, improving resolution
and reducing communication bandwidth requirements.
The FCF will provide true telescience to investigators at NASA
Centers and remote sites (such as the investigators' universities),
and only the future can tell what scientific breakthroughs will
result.
For more information, visit the FCF homepage.
Previous articleLast updated May 9, 1997
Responsible NASA Official:
Gynelle.C.Steele@nasa.gov
216-433-8258
Point of contact for NASA Glenn's Research & Technology reports:
Cynthia.L.Dreibelbis@nasa.gov
216-433-2912
SGT, Inc.
Web page curator:
Nancy.L.Obryan@nasa.gov
216-433-5793
Wyle Information Systems, LLC
