NASA’S MICROGRAVITY RESEARCH PROGRAM NASA’S MICROGRAVITY RESEARCH PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT NASA/TM – 2000-210615 National Aeronautics and Space Administration George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812 On the front cover... In FY 99, the microgravity biotechnology pro- gram investigated the structure of macromolecules through Earth- and space-grown crystals and con- ducted experiments in tissue engineering and basic cellular functions both in ground laboratories and in orbit. These cells were isolated from cartilage grown on Russian Space Station Mir. Gray areas (green on cover) indicate the presence of estaserase, a key metabolic enzyme. Discovering how processing affects the structure and properties of materials is the focus of the materi- als science discipline. A microgravity environment allows a simpler view of the relationship of process- ing to structure. Several experiments have been con- ducted and are planned for investigating the formation of dendrites, a common microstructure in metals. This dendrite of pivalic acid was formed during a microgravity shuttle mission. The study of combustion science in microgravity contributes to the basic understanding of the com- bustion process and of how to prevent and control burning on Earth and in space. This photo was taken during an experiment on candle flames that took place on Mir. Fluid physicists participate in the microgravity program to understand the fundamentals of fluid behavior under various conditions. Microgravity experiments investigating liquid drops have con- tributed to our knowledge of microscopic and macroscopic processes, from the way atomic nuclei undergo fission to how planets are formed. This photo was taken during a drop experiment conducted on the space shuttle. Physicists use a microgravity environment to help them discover and understand the laws govern- ing our universe. Accurate clocks are important research tools in such experiments. Physicists in the microgravity program are developing a clock to be flown on the International Space Station that will be the most accurate clock to date and will be available to everyone as a research tool. An artist’s rendering of this clock is pictured here. Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary. 1 2 Introduction . 5 3 Microgravity Research Conducted in FY 1999 . 8 Biotechnology . 8 Combustion Science . 18 Fluid Physics . 24 Fundamental Physics . 34 Materials Science. 40 4 Acceleration Measurement . 48 5 Technology . 51 6 Hardware . 53 7 Outreach and Education . 63 8 For More Information . 68 9 Program Resources . 69 10 Acronyms and Abbreviations . 70 iii On the back cover... 1 23 4 5 1 Thermocapillary flow induced by a bubble on Earth is greatly 3 In an atom laser on the ground, atoms fall under the influence influenced by its inevitable interactions with buoyancy-driven con- of gravity, producing a nonlinear dispersion of matter waves (top). vection. These pictures show steady-state flow fields generated by An artist’s concept of an atom laser in space (bottom) shows that an air bubble in a surrounding fluid (silicone oil) in normal gravity coherent matter waves propagate free from gravity’s perturbation. (top) and microgravity (bottom). 4 Many materials are available only as a powder. To achieve high 2 Due to a reduction in buoyancy-induced flows, flames in density in components shaped from these materials a process microgravity experience a change in the onset of soot release and a known as liquid-phase sintering is often used. However, when the change in flame shape when compared to flames in normal gravity. liquid forms, the component can distort under its own weight (top The top series of images shows onset of soot release occurring in the photo). The same type of compact when sintered in microgravity annular shell at the flame tip (3rd flame from right). The middle generally attains a spherical shape (bottom). series of low-velocity microgravity flames shows that the onset of soot release occurs in the annular layer, but that the flame shape is Some genes respond to microgravity as evidenced by this flat before the onset (4th flame from right). The bottom series of 5 graph of spaceflight experiment results, which shows that of 10,000 high-velocity microgravity flames shows that the onset of soot genes expressed by human kidney cells, 1,600 genes changed their release occurs at the center of the flame (third flame from left). expression levels when in microgravity. (Shear stress and heat shock proteins are shown as green dots, transcription factors as red dots. A change in expression is denoted by movement along the x and y axes.) v Executive Summary 1 To use the microgravity environment of space as a tool to physics, fundamental physics, and materials science) and work advance knowledge; to use space as a laboratory to explore the nature conducted on behalf of the MRP’s acceleration measurement, of physical phenomena, contributing to progress in science and tech- glovebox, and technology programs are managed by the MRPO and implemented at the following NASA centers: the Jet nology on Earth; and to study the role of gravity in technological Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, which manages processes, building a scientific foundation for understanding the con- investigations in fundamental physics and is responsible for sequences of gravitational environments beyond Earth’s boundaries. microgravity technology development and transfer activities; — From the Microgravity Research Program’s Mission Statement Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, which manages the cellular biotechnology discipline; Glenn Research Center in Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), located in Huntsville, Cleveland, Ohio, which manages studies in the combustion science Alabama, serves as NASA’s lead center for the Microgravity and fluid physics disciplines as well as microgravity measurement Research Program (MRP). To support that work, MSFC’s and analysis support services for all the microgravity science Microgravity Research Program Office (MRPO) is responsible for disciplines; and MSFC, which, in addition to serving as NASA’s advancing the microgravity mission through the coordination of lead center for the MRP, manages research in the macromolecular microgravity science research at NASA field centers, at universities, biotechnology and materials science disciplines and is responsible and with industry partners. Basic and applied research in the five for the microgravity glovebox program. The MRP’s program microgravity disciplines (biotechnology, combustion science, fluid goals for fiscal year (FY) 1999 follow: Goal 1 Goal 4 Sustain a leading-edge research program Promote the exchange of scientific knowledge focused in the areas of biotechnology, combustion and technological advances among academic, science, fluid physics, fundamental physics, and governmental, and industrial communities. materials science that effectively engages the Disseminate results to the general public and to national research community. educational institutions. Goal 2 Goal 5 Foster an interdisciplinary community to promote Raise the awareness of the microgravity research synergy, creativity, and value in carrying out the community regarding the long-term direction of research program. NASA’s Human Exploration and Development of Space Enterprise, and discuss with the community Goal 3 the role of microgravity research in support of Enable research through the development of an agency objectives. appropriate infrastructure of ground-based facilities, diagnostic capabilities, and flight facilities/opportu- nities, and promote the use of smaller apparatus. 1 Performance Goals support the MRP mission to use the microgravity environment of space as a tool to advance knowledge; to use space as a laboratory to While the five program goals listed above are qualitative and explore the nature of physical phenomena, contributing to progress program-oriented, the MRP has also developed a set of performance in science and technology on Earth; and to study the role of gravity goals that describe specific activities, methods for implementation, in technological processes, building a scientific foundation for and planned outcomes. In addition to guiding the progress of the understanding the consequences of gravitational environments program, these goals will also serve as measuring sticks, allowing beyond Earth’s boundaries. quantitative evaluation of the program. The performance goals were The MRP performance goals were finalized in FY 1998 in developed in response to the general call to reinvent government fulfillment of Congress’ mandate and were used in FY 1999 to and the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, which assess the program’s progress. The MRP performance goals and an directs agencies within the executive branch to develop customer- update on progress in FY 1999 are listed in Table 1. Further focused strategic plans that align their activities with concrete mission information on projects supporting each goal is available online at: and goal statements. Performance goals have been developed that http://microgravity.hq.nasa.gov/research.htm. Table 1 MRP Performance Goals and Progress in FY 1999 Goal Progress in FY 1999 1.21 — Sustain a leading biotechnology research program that will assure continued 103 biotechnology investigations were supported scientific and technical leadership. in FY 1999. 1.22 — Enable increased combustion system efficiency, reduced pollution, and mitiga- 72 combustion science