INFERNITYFLAME IN FREEFALL

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Attribute
Hardware groupUngrouped
Pillars
Detection
Fuel phaseNo fuel
MaterialTeflon, Kapton, cotton, silicone rubber, and Pyrell
ShapePyrolysis samples on a heated porous wick
SizeFive material types with repeatable surface temperatures
O2 concentrationVaried / not specified
PressureVaried / not specified
AirflowVaried / not specified
FacilityMicrogravity Science Glovebox (MSG) smoke-generation hardware
Module / vehicleInternational Space Station
Sensors
  • Aerosol instruments measuring particle number, diameter and mass moments
  • Thermal precipitator with transmission electron microscopy
  • Commercial smoke detector
  • ISS and Space Shuttle smoke detectors
Variables tested
  • Smoke material type
  • Aged versus un-aged smoke
  • Particle size distribution moments
  • Flight detector response
ObjectivesRepeat SAME with improved diagnostics, compare flight and ground smoke measurements, and evaluate the ISS and Shuttle smoke detectors against known particle size distributions.
Key findings
  • Flight and ground measurements were compared for Teflon, Kapton, cotton, silicone rubber and Pyrell smoke.
  • Moment measurements gave particle number, diameter and mass concentrations; geometric statistics followed under a lognormal assumption.
  • Transmission electron microscopy and ground SMPS data validated the particle statistics.
  • The reflight strengthened the low-gravity smoke baseline used to design more reliable spacecraft detectors.
Relevant environments
Spacecraft cabinSpace stationLunar baseMars basePressurized rover
SourceNASA PSI