INFERNITYFLAME IN FREEFALL

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Attribute
Saffire-IIISaffire-III
Hardware groupUngrouped
Pillars
Prevention
Fuel phaseSolid
MaterialSIBAL cotton-fiberglass blend fabric
ShapeLarge flat fabric sample inside a flow duct
SizeMeter-class fabric sample
O2 concentrationVaried / not specified
PressureVaried / not specified
AirflowVaried / not specified
FacilitySpacecraft Fire Safety Demonstration payload in a Cygnus cargo vehicle
Module / vehicleFree-flying Cygnus after ISS departure
Sensors
  • Video and still imaging
  • Thermocouples
  • Pressure and oxygen sensors
  • Flow duct instrumentation
Variables tested
  • Higher flow velocity over the same SIBAL fabric used in Saffire-I
  • Flame growth response to increased ventilation
ObjectivesRepeat the Saffire-I material test at a higher flow velocity to isolate the effect of ventilation on large-scale flame growth.
Key findings
  • Burned the same SIBAL cotton-fiberglass blend as Saffire-I at a higher flow velocity.
  • Isolated ventilation as a variable in large-scale microgravity flame spread.
Relevant environments
Spacecraft cabinSpace stationMars base
SourceNASA PSI