Flight experiment to investigate microgravity effects on solidification phenomena of selected materials

Carl R. Maag; Patricia A. Hansen

doi:10.1117/12.49580

1 December 1991 Flight experiment to investigate microgravity effects on solidification phenomena of selected materials

Carl R. Maag, Patricia A. Hansen

Proceedings Volume 1557, Crystal Growth in Space and Related Optical Diagnostics; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.49580
Event: San Diego, '91, 1991, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

A Get Away Special (GAS) experiment payload to investigate microgravity effects on solidification phenomena of selected experimental samples has been manifested for flight on STS-42. The first flight of the furnace assembly will (1) investigate the p-n junction characteristics for advancing semiconductor device applications, (2) study the effects of gravity-driven convection on the growth of HgCd crystals, (3) compare the textures of the sample which crystallizes in microgravity with those found in chrondrite meteorites, and (4) modify glass optical characteristics through divalent oxygen exchange. The space flight experiment consists of many small furnaces. While the experiment payload is in the low gravity environment of orbital flight, the payload controller will sequentially activate the furnaces to heat samples to their melt state and then allow cooling to resolidifaction in a controlled fashion. The materials processed in the microgravity environment of space will be compared to the same materials processed on earth in a one-gravity environment. This paper discusses the design of all subassemblies (furnace, electronics, and power systems) in the experiment. A complete description of the experimental materials also is presented.

Citation Download Citation

Carl R. Maag and Patricia A. Hansen "Flight experiment to investigate microgravity effects on solidification phenomena of selected materials", Proc. SPIE 1557, Crystal Growth in Space and Related Optical Diagnostics, (1 December 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.49580

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