The Fluids and Combustion Facility: Enabling the Exploration of Space
- Paper number
IAC-05-A2.5.04
- Author
Dr. Karen Weiland, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Glenn Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Frank Gati, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Glenn Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Myron Hill, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Glenn Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Robert Zurawski, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Glenn Research Center, United States
- Year
2005
- Abstract
The Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF) is an International Space Station (ISS) research facility designed to support physical and biological research and technology experiments in space. The FCF consists of two modular, reconfigurable racks called the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) and the Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR). The capabilities of the CIR and FIR and plans for their utilization will support the U.S.’s new vision for space exploration. The CIR will accommodate experiments that address critical needs in the areas of spacecraft fire prevention, detection and suppression, incineration of solid wastes, power generation, flame spread, and materials synthesis. Initial experiments will provide data to support design decisions for exploration spacecraft. The CIR provides a large environmental chamber in which the space environment or Lunar, Martian, or other planetary surface environments can be simulated. It can also serve as a test bed to mature systems and concepts to high technology readiness levels for exploration missions and provides a platform for on-orbit fabrication and repair activities on board the ISS. The FIR will accommodate experiments that address critical research and technology needs for advanced life support (i.e., air revitalization, water reclamation, etc.), power, propulsion, and spacecraft thermal control systems. Experiments addressing boiling heat transfer, liquid vapor interface control, liquid/vapor evaporation/condensation, and multiphase flow, as they relate to the technology needs of various exploration spacecraft subsystems, will be the focus of investigations. The FIR provides a large, contiguous volume for experimental hardware, easily reconfigurable diagnostics, customizable software, active rack-level vibration isolation, data acquisition and management, and various other subsystems that will support a wide range of uses. It can also serve as a platform for experiments that address human health and performance, medical technologies, and biosciences.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-A2.5.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.