The Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) is a double rack facility aboard the International Space Station (ISS) designed for gravity-dependent phenomena investigation handling. The MSG has been operating in the ISS US Laboratory Module since July 2002_ The MSG facility provides an enclosed working area for investigation manipulation and observation, The MSG's unique design provides two levels of containment to protect the ISS crew from hazardous operations. Research investigations operating inside the MSG are provided a large 255 liter work volume, 1000 watts of dc power via a versatile supply interface (120, 28, + 12, and 5 Vdc), 1000 watts of cooling capability, video and data recording and real time downlink, ground commanding capabilities, access to ISS Vacuum Exhaust and Vacuum Resource Systems, and gaseous nitrogen supply. With these capabilities, the MSG is an ideal platform for research requmed to advance the technology readiness levels (TILL) needed for the Crew Exploration Vehicle and the Exploration Initiative. Areas of research that will benefit from investigations in the MSG include thermal management, fluid physics, spacecraft fire safety, materials science, combustion, reaction control systems, in situ fabrication and repair, and advanced life support technologies. This paper will provide a detailed explanation of the MSG facility, a synopsis of the reseamh that has already been accomplished in the MSG and an overview of investigations planning to operate in the MSG. In addition, this paper will address possible changes to the MSG utilization process that wil] be brought about by the transition to ISS as a National Laboratory.
A recent study on pool boiling for upward facing square heaters reported two pool boiling regimes depending on the relative importance of buoyancy and surface tension forces. At higher gravity levels and/or with larger heaters when the ratio of heater size Lh (length of a side for a square heater) to capillary length Lc was greater than 2.1, boiling was buoyancy dominated and the heat transfer results were heater size independent. Boiling was surface tension dominated and heat transfer results were heater size dependent when Lh/Lc<2.1 (small heaters and/or low gravity conditions). This paper studies the effects of orientation on the balance between buoyancy and surface tension forces. The threshold value of Lh/Lc for transition between pool boiling regimes was found to be 1.8 for heaters oriented at 45°, 90°, and 135°.
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