Experiments Conducted Aboard the International Space Station: The Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI) and the In-Space Soldering Investigation (ISSI): A Current Summary of Results.
- Paper number
IAC-06-A2.2.10
- Author
Dr. Richard Grugel, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Marshall Space Flight Center, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Paul Luz, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Marshall Space Flight Center, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Guy Smith, University of Alabama in Huntsville, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Reggie Spivey, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Linda Jeter, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Marshall Space Flight Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Donald Gillies, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Marshall Space Flight Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Fay Hua, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. A. Anilkumar, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Experiments in support of the Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI) and the In-Space Soldering Investigation (ISSI) were conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with the goal of promoting our fundamental understanding of melting dynamics, solidification phenomena, and defect generation during materials processing in a microgravity environment. Through the course of many experiments a number of observations, expected and unexpected, have been directly made. These include gradient-driven bubble migration, thermocapillary flow, and novel microstructural development. The experimental results are presented and found to be in good agreement with models pertinent to a microgravity environment. Based on the space station results, and noting the futility of duplicating them in Earth’s unit-gravity environment, attention is drawn to the role ISS experiments/hardware can play to provide insight to potential materials processing techniques and/or repair scenarios that might arise during long duration space transport and/or on the lunar/Mars surface.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-A2.2.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.