Complex plasma research on ISS: pke-nefedov, pk-3 plus, pk-4, and impact laboratory
- Paper number
IAC-06-B4.3.06
- Author
Mr. Roland Seurig, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Coauthor
Prof. Gregor Morfill, Max-Planck-Institut for Extraterrestrial Physic, Germany
- Coauthor
Prof. Vladimir Fortov, Institute for High Energy Densities, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
- Coauthor
Dr. Peter Hofmann, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Philipp Reissaus, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Vladimir Molotkov, Institute for High Energy Densities, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. Andrey Lipaev, Institute for High Energy Densities, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
- Coauthor
Prof. Oleg Petrov, Institute for High Energy Densities, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
- Coauthor
Dr. Alexandre Usachev, Institute for High Energy Densities, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. Hermann Rothermel, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Hubertus Thomas, Max-Planck-Institut for Extraterrestrial Physic, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Markus Thoma, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Herwig Hoefner, Germany
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The international research on ISS in dusty plasma (also known as complex plasma) under prolonged microgravity condition entered a new area in March 2001: The PKE-Nefedov facility (formerly called PKE 3) performed its first experiment in radio-frequency induced complex plasmas. This bilateral German-Russian research facility operated successfully in over 13 missions over 5 years until its internal resources were consumed – resulting so far in over 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications. In place of PKE-Nefedov is the next generation experiment apparatus PK 3 Plus with refined and more powerful instruments and diagnostics, which had its on-orbit commissioning in January 2006. While PK 3 Plus will further investigate the radio-frequency induced plasmas for the next few years the new European-Russian PK-4 research facility is under development for investigation of direct-current induced complex plasma. Because the highly successful series of stand-alone PK experiment facilities cover only a fraction of the overall complex plasma research field the IMPACT (International Multi-User Plasma, Atmospheric and Cosmic Dust Twin) Laboratory project was initiated.
The IMPACT Laboratory is the logical next step to provide a home and rallying point for the worldwide growing research efforts under microgravity conditions in the fields of dusty plasma and interactions of cosmic and atmospheric particle systems. For the envisioned wide range of science to be performed a total 15 proposals where identified for IMPACT within ELIPS-2 (European Program for Life and Physical Science), with six judged as “outstanding”, six as “excellent”, and the remaining three as “very good”. Based on the last three Announcements of Opportunity (AO-1999, IAO-2000, AO-2004) the IMPACT science community has over 130 scientists actively working in their fields representing research institutions in over 17 countries worldwide. IMPACT is a modularly designed laboratory and is presently in the preliminary design phase under ESA contract.
The paper will introduce the key results of the first two PK-3 Plus experiment sessions from January 2006 and the scheduled session in June 2006. Furthermore, background information on and the present status of PK-4 and IMPACT Laboratory will be provided.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-B4.3.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.