This paper highlight the in-flight operations of the Capillary Flow Experiment Contact Line experiments (2 each) performed aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during the period between Increment 9 ad 13 (8/2004-9/2006). The CFE-CL vessels are simple fluid interface experiments that probe the uncertain impact of the boundary condition at the contact line – the region where liquid, gas, and solid meet. This region controls perhaps the most significant static and dynamic characteristics of the large length scale capillary phenomena critical to most multiphase fluid management systems aboard spacecraft. Difference in fluid behavior of nearly identical statics interfaces to nearly identical disturbances are attributed to differences in fluid physics in the vicinity of the contact line. The CFE-CL experiments are conducted on five occasions by ISS Astronauts M. Fincke, W. McArthur, and J. Williams. The number of tests performed including additional science experiments is made possible by various centrifuge techniques employed by the astronauts permitting the re-use of the once-wetted container. Several of these ‘extra science’ experiments are briefly described herein. Intermittent real-time video and audio downlink, continuous communication with the ground crews at NASA JSC, MSGFC and GRC, and the clear and entreating commentary of the crew made the conduct of the tests on ISS an enjoyable, laboratory-like experience for the science on the ground. The flight tapes from the onboard cameras have been results to Earth (name flight) and are expected to be digitized, reduced and made publically available in the near future. A concurrent blind numerical analysis is underway to predict the experiments result using a generally accepted CFD-tool with specific contact line boundary conditions.
Related URLs:
http://dx.doi.org/10.2514/6.2007-747