Physical and Chemical Aspects of Fire Suppression in Extraterrestrial Environments.
Physical and Chemical Aspects of Fire Suppression in
Extraterrestrial Environments.
(1293 K)
Takahashi, F.; Linteris, G. T.; Katta, V. R.
NASA/CP-2001-210826;
Microgravity Combustion Workshop, Sixth (6th)
International. Proceedings. NASA/CP-2001-210826. May
22-24, 2001, Cleveland, OH, 417-420 pp, 2001.
Keywords:
microgravity; fire suppression; flame extinction; cup
burner; combustion
Abstract:
A fire, whether in a spacecraft or in occupied spaces on
extraterrestrial bases, can lead to mission termination
or loss of life. While the fire-safety record of US
space missions has been excellent, the advent of longer
duration missions to Mars, the moon, or aboard the
International Space Station (ISS) increases the
likelihood of fire events, with more limited mission
termination options. The fire safety program of NASA's
manned space flight program is based largely upon the
principles of controlling the flammability of on-board
materials and greatly eliminating sources of ignition.
As a result, very little research has been conducted on
fire suppression in the microgravity or reduced-gravity
environment. The objectives of this study are: to obtain
fundamental knowledge of physical and chemical processes
of fire suppression, using gravity and oxygen
concentration as independent variables to simulate
various extraterrestrial environments, including
spacecraft and surface bases in Mars and moon missions;
to provide rigorous testing of analytical models, which
include comprehensive kinetic descriptions of combustion
and suppression chemistry; and to provide basic research
results useful for technological advances in fire
safety, including the development of new
fire-extinguishing agents and approaches, in the
microgravity environment associated with ISS and in the
partial-gravity Martian and lunar environments.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899