NSSDCA ID: 1983-116A-42
Mission Name: STS 9/Spacelab 1The materials science facility included 36 different experiments. Six of these experiments were individual, black-box type experiments which required only provision of power, data recording, and heat rejection. The 32 other experiments were performed with the help of multi-user facilities. The isothermal heating facility was a multi-user facility for different types of experiments, including solidification studies, diffusion fundamentals, casting of metals and composites, and preparation of new and/or improved glasses and ceramics. The gradient heating facility for low temperatures was a multipurpose facility for different types of experiments such as crystal growth and unidirectional solidification of eutectics. Vacuum and noble gas supply provisions were part of the facility. The mirror heating facility was an experimental facility which was particularly suitable for investigating crystal growth using the melt zone or traveling solvent methods. The fluid physics module consisted mainly of a structure fitted with two disks which could be rotated separately, at the same or different speeds, and in either direction. Different fluids could be injected and recovered from this structure. Thirty of the 36 planned experiments were completed successfully. Of the remaining six experiments, three could not be performed, and three achieved between 25% and 50% of their objectives because the isothermal heating facility was disabled during part of the flight. One significant accomplishment of the materials science experiments was the growing in space of the first large crystal of silicon.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Prof. L. G. Napolitano | Other Investigator | Universita degli Studi di Napoli | |
Dr. Yves Malmejac | Other Investigator | Centre d'Essais Aeronautique-Dept de Metallurgie, Cetre d'Etudes Nuc | |
Mr. U. Huth | Principal Investigator | European Space Agency |