Combustion Experiments on STS-83 and STS-94: The Crew's Perspective.
Combustion Experiments on STS-83 and STS-94: The Crew's
Perspective.
(170 K)
Linteris, G. T.; Voss, J. E.; Crouch, R.
Combustion and Flame, Vol. 116, No. 3, 321-322,
February 1999.
Keywords:
combustion; microgravity; experiments; space flight
Abstract:
Despite years of planning and hundreds of drop-tower
tests in preparation, the combustion experiments aboard
STS-83 and STS-94 were full of surprises. Fortunately,
these surprises were related to physical phenomena
rather than the hardware's performance. The combustion
experiments were successful for one main reason: they
were ready to fly. From our perspective, there was no
more important factor affecting how productive and
enjoyable the missions were for us than the talent and
dedication of the science team members who had conceived
of and built the experiments and with whom we trained
and worked. Because of their work, the experiments were
clearly defined and elegant, the hardware well-designed
and built, and the software simple to use and thoroughly
tested. During the flights, knowing that dozens of
individuals were working night and day to keep us as
productive as possible and to solve problems as they
arose allowed us to work expediently.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899