The Capillary Flow Experiments Aboard The International Space Station: Status

Paper number

IAC-07-A2.6.02

Author

Dr. Mark Weislogel, Portland State University, United States

Coauthor

Dr. Steven Collicott, United States

Coauthor

Dr. Yongkang Chen, Portland State University, United States

Coauthor

Mr. Joerg Klatte, ZARM - University of Bremen, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Michael Dreyer, ZARM - University of Bremen, Germany

Year

2007

Abstract

This paper provides a current overview of the in-flight operations and experimental results of the Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE) performed aboard the International Space Station (ISS) from Increment 9 (beginning August, 2004) to present, with at least 6 operations to date by 3 astronauts M. Fincke, W. McGarthur, and J. Williams.  CFE consists of six approximately 1 to 2kg experiment units designed to probe certain capillary phenomena of fundamental and applied importance, such as capillary flow in complex containers, critical wetting in discontinuous structures, and large length scale contact line dynamics. Highly quantitative video images from the simply performed flight experiments provide immediate confirmation of the usefulness of current analytical design tools as well as provide guidance to the development of new ones.

A description of the experiments, crew procedures, performances and status of the data collection and reduction is provided for the project to date. The CFE experimental program (conception) was initiated in February 2003 as part of a fast-paced unscheduled payloads/experiments program. All six of the units are currently onboard ISS and are performed on standby or at times as part of NASA Saturday Science. The experiments are conducted in stand-alone mode by a single crewmember on the Maintenance Work Area of the ISS. The specific experimental objectives are briefly introduced by way of the crew procedures and a sample of the verified theoretical predictions of the fluid behavior is provided. The potential impact of the flight experiments on the design of spacecraft fluid systems is discussed.

The experiments to date have been completed in an excellent manner with many additional tests conducted providing additional science made possible by various centrifuge techniques employed by the astronauts permitting the re-use of the once-wetted containers. Intermittent real-time video and audio downlink, continuous communication with the ground crews at NASA JSC, MSFC, and GRC, and the clear and entertaining commentary of the astronauts has made the conduct of CFE on ISS an enjoyable, laboratory-like experience for the science team on the ground. 

Abstract document

IAC-07-A2.6.02.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-A2.6.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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