Experiments conducted in spacecraft and drop towers show that thin-sheet materials have reduced flammability ranges and flame-spread rates under quiescent low-gravity environments (microgravity) compared to normal gravity. Furthermore, low-gravity flames may be suppressed more easily by atmospheric dilution or decreasing atmospheric total pressure than their normal-gravity counterparts. The addition of a ventilating air flow to the low-gravity flame zone, however, can greatly enhance the flammability range and flame spread. These results, along with observations of flame and smoke characteristics useful for microgravity fire-detection 'signatures', promise to be of considerable value to spacecraft fire-safety designs. The paper summarizes the fire detection and suppression techniques proposed for the Space Station Freedom and discusses both the application of low-gravity combustion knowledge to improve fire protection and the critical needs for further research.


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    Title :

    Contributions of microgravity test results to the design of spacecraft fire-safety systems


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    AIAA, AHS, and ASEE, Aerospace Design Conference ; 1993 ; Irvine, CA, United States


    Publication date :

    1993-02-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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