Fires in Space and Test-Tube Planets: Shuttle Science Mission Results
January 13, 1997
The results of fires in space, a planet in a test tube, and other materials studies aboard two Space Shuttle missions will be presented at the National Academy of Sciences on February 10 - 11 in Washington, D.C.
inside the USML-2 module.)
USML-2 and the USMP-3 covered several basic areas of microgravity materials sciences, including:
- Fluid Physics experiments explored the behavior of fluids and their responses to different forces.
- Combustion Science experiments improved understanding of the basic combustion process and how that process is affected by gravity's effects.
- Materials Science experiments increased the understanding of relationships between the structure, properties, and processing of materials.
- Biotechnology experiments grew protein crystals of sufficient size and perfection to determine their structure and formation, and to investigate the benefits of microgravity for growing cells and tissues.
These investigations brought together government, academia, and industry researchers. USMP-3 comprised several automated experiment systems carried on a support structure in the Space Shuttle payload bay. USML-2 was conducted aboard a Spacelab module where a team of four scientists, including Dr. Fred Leslie of NASA-Marshall, conducted experiments such as the Geophysical Fluid Flow Cell which simulated the atmosphere of Jupiter and of stars.
In particular, USML-2 demonstrated that interactive science experiments between the scientists on the ground and in orbit not only is possible but highly productive. The crew performed experiments around the clock in a perfect example of interactive science in a unique laboratory environment.
For additional information on these scientific results, contact
Dr. Marcus Vlasse
Mail Code ES71
Space Sciences Laboratory
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, Alabama 35812
Author: Dave Dooling
Curator: Bryan Walls
NASA Official: John M. Horack