The Study of Liquid Re-orientation, Positioning, and Oscillation in Low G

Purdue University

The continued advancement of spaceflight demands dependable and predictable propulsion systems. Part of this predictability involves the knowledge of fluids in microgravity conditions. Predicting location and expected movement of fluids in the fuel tanks of satellites and vehicles will help create cheap and efficient propulsion systems that minimize weight and mechanical parts. Understanding the re-orientation, positioning, and oscillation of fluids in various tanks is an important step in this process of designing the next generation propulsion systems. In addition to studying the dynamics of fluids, drop tower scaling issues can also be addressed. Drop towers provide an inexpensive means of studying microgravity situations for short periods of time. Limitations to the use of drop towers include size of the object to be dropped and the short time duration. Thus, the information gained from this KC-135 flight will be useful in extending drop tower data.

The major objective of this flight is to acquire data on the re-orientation, positioning, and oscillation of fluids in microgravity. This data can then be used to validate models that are being used to study the dynamics of low-G fluids in satellite and vehicle propulsion systems. The liquid-cone experiment will be useful in engineering education at Purdue, as explained below. The information from the sphere testing will also provide data to extend conclusions from research to be performed in a newly designed drop tower at Purdue University. The new tower design will permit 100 or more high-quality short drops per day. The data from the KC-135 flights are larger length and time-scale, although substantially less repeatable, extensions of drop tower experiments.

Finally, this flight will provide an opportunity for the flyers to conduct smaller experiments designed by elementary, middle, and high school students. This opportunity for these students to create an experiment that will fly on a NASA aircraft will spark interest in engineering, science and NASA. In addition, the findings of this experiment will be presented to a large group of school children at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. This will provide even more children the opportunity to experience NASA and stir interest in engineering and science.

Visit our web site at: Purdue Microgravity

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Last Modified: Tue May 19 1998
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