COMPLEX PLASMA FACILITIES AND EXPERIMENTS ONBOARD THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
- Paper number
IAC-14,A2,7,3,x23895
- Author
Dr. Peter Hofmann, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Year
2014
- Abstract
IAC 2014 A2.7 Microgravity Sciences Onboard the International Space Station and Beyond - Part 2 COMPLEX PLASMA FACILITIES AND EXPERIMENTS ONBOARD THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION P. Hofmann(1), A. Stettner(1), T. Stuffler(1), R. Seurig(1), H. Thomas(2) (3) (1) Kayser-Threde GmbH, Wolfratshauser Strasse 48, 81379 Munich, Germany Phone: +49 89 724 95-211, Fax: +49 89 724 95-291 peter.hofmann@kayser-threde.com (2) Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Giessenbachstrasse, 85748 Garching, Germany (3) DLR, Muenchner Strasse 20, 82234 Weßling, Germany Abstract Complex plasma research under microgravity conditions is one key research topic in fundamental physics and material science on the International Space Station (ISS). Experiments started with PKE-Nefedov, launched with PROGRESS as early as February 2001. PKE-Nefedov was a joint scientific experiment between the Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) in Garching/Munich and the Joint Institute for High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Science (JIHT) in Moscow. The facility was developped and built by MPE, JIHT, RSC Energia and Kayser-Threde with national German funding (by DLR). Russia was responsible for funding launch, operations and training of PKE-Nefedov. The facility was operational from 2001 until 2005 and accommodated in the Russian segment of the ISS. Next in the Plasma Crystal family was PK-3 Plus which is an improved version of PKE-Nefedov. PK-3 Plus was launched in December 2005 and has been in operation on the ISS from December 2005 to July 2011. Twentyone (21) successful missions have been performed, until the facilitiy was switched-off. Teaming, funding and responsibilities have been shared as for PKE-Nefedov. The most recent development is PK-4 which is a much more complex facility. PK-4 primarily uses high voltage DC for plasma control, possesses a rather large experimental chamber with wide gas parameter variations, particle manipulators and a sophisticated video observation system. PK-4 is part of the European EPM rack accommodated in the Columbus module of the ISS. The phase C/D of PK-4 has been initiated in spring 2008. Launch with PROGRESS is scheduled for September this year (2014). From a programmatic point of view PK-4 is a joint Russian / European project, with Russia providing upload, download and crew resourses. The paper will present some selected results from recent PK-3 Plus sessions on the ISS and summarize the status of PK-4.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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