Northeast Ohio has good reason to join in the excitement about the
International Space Station (ISS). NASA Glenn Research Center’s Microgravity
Science Division will have a role in the upcoming shuttle mission, STS-100,
which is scheduled to launch at 2:41 p.m. on April 19.
Glenn has three experiments aboard the mission that will be flown to ISS:
Physics of Colloids in Space (PCS) will gather data on the basic physical
properties of colloids by studying the growth and behavior of three
different colloid sample types. Its intent is to understand how their
properties may allow scientists to manipulate the physical structures of
colloids (“colloidal engineering”) for the manufacture of new materials and
products. Industries that could benefit from colloidal research include
semiconductors, electro-optics, ceramics and composites. Knowledge gained
could also improve colloidal properties in common materials, including food,
paints and coatings.
Space Acceleration Measurement System Project (SAMS) is comprised of two
operational experiments, SAMS II (consisting of modular components, an
Interim Control Unit, two Remote Triaxial Sensors and drawers supplied to
payloads and racks) and Microgravity Acceleration Measurement System (MAMS).
The difference in the operational experiments is two-fold. SAMS II measures
vibratory disturbances (0.01 to 300 Hz) that affect experiments located near
the cause of disturbance such as fans, crew bumps and pumps. MAMS measures
vibratory and quasi-steady acceleration (frequencies from DC to 1 Hz) that
affect the entire ISS such as aerodynamic drag influences, vehicle rotation
and venting effects.
The SAMS Project develops, deploys and operates acceleration measurement
systems to measure, collect, process, record and deliver selected
acceleration data to researchers and other customers. The systems sustain
the control, monitoring and characterization of a microgravity environment
on platforms such as drop towers, aircraft, Shuttle and ISS. SAMS delivers
acceleration data to the Principal Investigators’ Microgravity Services
(PIMS) Project, which then performs the analysis of the data. SAMS and PIMS
assist researchers in understanding the effects of acceleration events on
their studies in Materials Science, Combustion Science, Fluids Physics and
Biotechnology.
Once the ISS crew sets up and provides initial activation of the three Glenn
experiments, they will become the first to be commanded from Glenn’s
newly-renovated Telescience Support Center beginning on April 30 with MAMS
activation and continuing through May 8 with PCS activation. This facility
provides the capability to execute ground support command and control of
on-orbit ISS and Space Shuttle payloads.
For more information on STS-100 and its experiments, please visit the
following websites:
http://microgravity.grc.nasa.gov/6712/PCS.htm
http://microgravity.grc.nasa.gov/MSD/MSD_htmls/acceleration.html
http://www.scipoc.msfc.nasa.gov
http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov
Glenn is NASA’s lead Center for all aspects of Microgravity Combustion
Science, Fluid Physics and Transport Phenomena and Acceleration Measurement
Programs. Its Microgravity Science Division (MSD) conducts and sponsors
ground-based scientific and technological studies that lead to space
experiments. These efforts contribute new scientific knowledge by studying
the effects of low gravity (microgravity) on important chemical and physical
processes to improve the quality of life on Earth and to advance the
presence of humans in space. The MSD will continue to contribute to future
Shuttle and ISS missions in many ways including the design, buildup, testing
and integration of experiment hardware packages.
# # #
Note to Editors: Media representatives are invited to attend a viewing of
the launch of STS-100 and interview key Glenn personnel involved in the
science aboard the shuttle. The event will take place in Glenn’s Visitor
Center Auditorium on Thursday, April 19 from 2 – 4 p.m. Please call ahead to
Barbara Kakiris or the Media Relations Office (216/433-2901) in order to be
cleared through security.
