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By NASA
A method for evaluating thermophysical properties of metal alloys
Simulation of the solidification of metal alloys, a key step in certain industrial processes, requires reliable data on their thermophysical properties such as surface tension and viscosity. Researchers propose comparing predictive models with experimental outcomes as a method to assess these data.
Scientists use data on surface tension and viscosity of titanium-based alloys in industrial processes such as casting and crystal growth. Non-Equilibrium Solidification, Modelling for Microstructure Engineering of Industrial Alloys, an ESA (European Space Agency) investigation, examined the microstructure and growth of these alloys using the station’s Electromagnetic Levitator. This facility eliminates the need for containers, which can interfere with experiment results.
European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Alexander Gerst is shown in the Columbus module of the International Space Station during the installation of the Electromagnetic Levitator.ESA/Alexander Gerst Overview of techniques for measuring thermal diffusion
Researchers present techniques for measuring thermal diffusion of molecules in a mixture. Thermal diffusion is measured using the Soret coefficient – the ratio of movement caused by temperature differences to overall movement within the system. This has applications in mineralogy and geophysics such as predicting the location of natural resources beneath Earth’s surface.
A series of ESA investigations studied diffusion, or how heat and particles move through liquids, in microgravity. Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instrument-Influence of VIbrations on DIffusion of Liquids examined how vibrations affect diffusion in mixtures with two components and SODI-DCMIX measured more-complex diffusion in mixtures of three or more components. Understanding and predicting the effects of thermal diffusion has applications in various industries such as modeling of underground oil reservoirs.
NASA astronaut Kate Rubins works on Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instrument Experiment Diffusion Coefficient Mixture-3 (SODI) DCMix-3 installation inside the station’s Microgravity Science Glovebox.JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)/Takuya Onishi Research validates ferrofluid technology
Researchers validated the concept of using ferrofluid technology to operate a thermal control switch in a spacecraft. This outcome could support development of more reliable and long-lasting spacecraft thermal management systems, increasing mission lifespan and improving crew safety.
Überflieger 2: Ferrofluid Application Research Goes Orbital analyzed the performance of ferrofluids, a technology that manipulates components such as rotors and switches using magnetized liquids and a magnetic field rather than mechanical systems, which are prone to wear and tear. This technology could lower the cost of materials for thermal management systems, reduce the need for maintenance and repair, and help avoid equipment failure. The paper discusses possible improvements to the thermal switch, including optimizing the geometry to better manage heat flow.
A view of the Ferrofluid Application Research Goes Orbital investigation hardware aboard the International Space Station. UAE (United Arab Emirates)/Sultan AlneyadiView the full article
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By NASA
Benchmarks for solidifying metal alloys
Researchers report benchmark data for modeling the growth of specific types of microstructures that form during solidification of metal alloys under different conditions. These microstructures affect the properties of materials and products such as refrigeration devices and solar cells.
The ESA (European Space Agency) Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in Solidification Processing (CETSOL) investigation studied the processes of metal alloy solidification and the crystal patterns that form as liquids transition to solids. Results could improve ground-based development of lightweight, high-performance structural materials for space and ground applications. Microgravity is key to this research because it eliminates influences of gravity during solidification and allows researchers to control turbulence and convection.
European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Frank De Winne works on the Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in Solidification Processing (CETSOL) investigation in the U.S. Destiny Laboratory.NASA Composite materials shield against radiation, other hazards
Researchers found no degradation in two multifunctional radiation shielding composite materials after exposure to space. This finding suggests that composite materials with a surface layer and a coating could protect crews on future missions from radiation and other hazards of space.
Materials ISS Experiment Flight Facility (MISSE-FF) continued a series of investigations examining how exposure to space affects materials and material configurations used for space missions. The MISSE-13 suite of materials included a multifunctional composite material for shielding crew members in habitats and spacecraft beyond low Earth orbit against radiation, atomic oxygen, and temperature extremes.
An image of the Materials ISS Experiment Flight Facility (MISSE-FF) platform used for MISSE experiments.NASA Modeling the use of boiling to transfer heat
Researchers developed an algorithm to determine the amount of heat transferred via boiling of a liquid and showed that maximum heat flow occurs where the bubble contacts the surface and the liquid. This finding could inform design of thermal control systems for spacecraft and for cooling electronics and other applications on Earth.
ESA’s Multiscale Boiling examined the dynamics of heat transfer via boiling, which generates vapor bubbles that lift heat from a surface. This technique is less efficient in microgravity because boiling happens more slowly, and bubbles remain near the surface in the absence of buoyancy. But microgravity also makes it possible to observe effects that are too fast and too small to be measured under normal gravity conditions, helping scientists understand the dynamics of boiling heat transfer.
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano works on the Multiscale Boiling hardware aboard the International Space Station. ESA/Luca ParmitanoView the full article
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By NASA
An artist’s concept of the Earth, Moon, and Mars.Credit: NASA As NASA develops a blueprint for space exploration throughout the solar system for the benefit of humanity, the agency released several new documents Friday updating its Moon to Mars architecture. The roadmap sets NASA on course for long-term lunar exploration under the Artemis campaign in preparation for future crewed missions to Mars.
Following an Architecture Concept Review, the 2024 updates include a revision of NASA’s Architecture Definition Document which details technical approaches and processes of the agency’s exploration plans, an executive overview, and 12 new white papers on key Moon to Mars topics.
“NASA’s Architecture Concept Review process is critical to getting us on a path to mount a human mission to Mars,” said NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free. “We’re taking a methodical approach to mapping out the decisions we need to make, understanding resource and technological trades, and ensuring we are listening to feedback from stakeholders.”
One newly released white paper highlights NASA’s decision to use fission power as the primary source of power on the Martian surface to sustain crews — the first of seven key decisions necessary for human Mars exploration. Fission power is a form of nuclear power unaffected by day and night cycles or potential dust storms on Mars.
New additions this year also include a broader, prioritized list of key architecture decisions that need to be made early in NASA’s plans to send humans to the Red Planet. Two new elements are now part of the agency’s Moon to Mars architecture — a lunar surface cargo lander and an initial lunar surface habitat. The lunar surface cargo lander will deliver logistics items, science and technology payloads, communications systems, and more. The initial surface habitat will house astronauts on the lunar surface to extend the crew size, range, and duration of exploration missions and enable crewed and uncrewed science opportunities.
The newest revision of the Architecture Definition Document adds more information about NASA’s decision road mapping process — how the agency decides which decisions must be made early in the planning process based on impacts to subsequent decisions — and a list of architecture-driven opportunities that help technology development organizations prioritize research into new technologies that will enable the Moon to Mars architecture.
“Identifying and analyzing high-level architecture decisions are the first steps to realizing a crewed Mars exploration campaign,” said Catherine Koerner, associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Each yearly assessment cycle as part of our architecture process is moving us closer to ensuring we have a well thought out plan to accomplish our exploration objectives.”
NASA’s Moon to Mars architecture approach incorporates feedback from U.S. industry, academia, international partners, and the NASA workforce. The agency typically releases a series of technical documents at the end of its annual analysis cycle, including an update of the Architecture Definition Document and white papers that elaborate on frequently raised topics.
Under NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency will establish the foundation for long-term scientific exploration at the Moon, land the next Americans and first international partner astronaut on the lunar surface, and prepare for human expeditions to Mars for the benefit of all.
For NASA’s Moon to Mars architecture documents, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/moontomarsarchitecture
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Rachel Kraft / Kathryn Hambleton
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov / kathryn.a.hambleton@nasa.gov
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Last Updated Dec 13, 2024 EditorJessica TaveauLocationNASA Headquarters Related Terms
Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate Artemis Earth's Moon Mars View the full article
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By NASA
Astronaut cognitive performance remains generally stable
Researchers found that astronauts on six-month missions to the International Space Station demonstrated generally stable cognitive performance but mild changes in certain areas, including processing speed, working memory, attention, and willingness to take risks. This research provides baseline data that could help identify cognitive changes on future missions and support development of appropriate countermeasures.
Research to date has suggested mild decreases in some cognitive performance domains during spaceflight, likely influenced by spaceflight stressors such as radiation and sleep disruption. Longer missions represent greater exposure to these hazards and possible increases in individual vulnerabilities to them. Standard Measures collects a set of psychological and physiological measurements related to human spaceflight risks, including a cognition test battery, from astronauts before, during, and after missions. This paper includes the largest sample of professional astronauts published to date.
NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren performs a cognition test on the space station. NASA Scientific discoveries result from NSF/CASIS research
Researchers published highlights of discoveries resulting from a collaboration between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) in support of research on transport phenomena in space. A few examples include:
combustion studies that advance our understanding of soot formation, wildfires, flame-spread in buildings, and other fundamental combustion phenomena important in everyday life on Earth heat transfer studies that provide insight into how the physics of evaporation and condensation affect cooling systems on spacecraft and in microelectronics and other industries on the ground fluid dynamics studies validating theories of how drops spread, relevant to the design of thermal management systems and for fluid processing on spacecraft, as well as in medical devices and other ground-based applications
Removing gravity enables research on fundamental physical phenomena that is difficult or impossible to conduct on Earth. The investigations that led to the findings above are Spherical Cool Flames, which observed the chemical reactions of cool diffusion flames for insight into combustion and fire behavior; Constrained Vapor Bubble, a study of how evaporation and condensation affect the efficiency of cooling devices; and Capillary Flow Experiment 2, research on wetting (a liquid’s ability to spread across a surface) to support design of better systems to process liquids.
European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst works on the Capillary Flow Experiment.NASAView the full article
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