 |
PADE
is the spanish acronym of Paquete Argentino de Experimentos
(Argentine Experiments Package).
Their objective is to fly on board the Space Shuttle
a package of seven experiments designed and constructed
by Argentines Universities and Scientific Institutions,
under the supervision of the Argentine Association
for Space Technology (AATE).
The experiments are housed in a standard, sealed
2.5 cubic foot NASA GAS Canister with 60 lbs. payload
weight. |
|
The
Experiments are the followings:
- Experiment
#1 - Transport of Fluids in Non-Circular Tubing.
The
objective of this experiment is evaluate the effect of capillary
geometric section with relation to the condition of slippage.
For this purpose, two conditions have been chosen in which
a fluid (colored water) is allowed to slide, and a third
condition which does not allow slippage of the fluid. For
the two first conditions, it is important to measure displacement
velocity to determine whether it depends on the geometric
angle inside the tubing.
- Experiment
#2 - Surface Vibration of Water Drops.
The
experiment objective is to measure surface vibrations that
are generated by surface tension in water drops, in a microgravity
environment.
The experiences accomplished in Earth have been in studying
vibration processes of giant drops, whose Bond number are
close to the ones showing the gravity influence.
On Earth, it is difficult to achieve small Bond numbers,
thereby removing the effects of gravity. The only solution
is to reduce the drop size, however this makes the measurement
process more difficult. The main objective of this experiment
is to measure the vibration due to surface tension, which
we believe has never been done before.
- Experiment
#3 - Migration of Drops and Bubbles in Microgravity.
The
purpose of this experiment is to verify current theories
on Marangoni's Convection, and to test their feasibility
for future development of a detector of drop and bubble
movement through thermal gradients.
- Experiment
#4 - Exposure of Seeds to Space.
This
experiment is designed to examine cell mutation and modifications
in several types of seeds exposed to space environment.
The retrieved samples will be compared with control samples
maintained on earth under a controlled environment.
- Experiment
#5 - Crystal Formation and Growth in a Microgravity Environment.
The
objective of this experiment is to determine the differences
in crystal growth between earth conditions and microgravity.
For this experiment an injection system will insert reagents
into a gel solution of a corresponding chemical compound.
- Experiment
#6 - Maximum Accelerations Register.
This
experiment is designed to record maximum acceleration of
the Orbiter during the flight. The experiment consists of
two systems to record acceleration: a mechanical device
which turns springs, and a device activated by the change
of shape of strings from one stable equilibrium position
to another.
The first system is based on the trigger movement activated
by springs. Five accelerometers on each axis are included,
each one calibrated to a different acceleration ( 2, 3,
5, 8 and 12 G's).
The second system is activated by a bent string which will
change shape depending on the acceleration. This system
is calibrated to change shape at 3, 5, 8, 12 and 17 G's
in the Z axis of the Orbiter.
- Experiment
#7 - Geophysical Fluids Movement.
A
common goal of the science of meteorology and oceanography
is the simulation of atmospheric and sea movement in spherical
bodies. On Earth, achieving this is impossible due to the
presence of gravity. In microgravity, it is possible to
simulate this behavior. To achieve this goal, we must establish
simulations that permit us, by analogies, to associate these
movements to those in oceans and atmosphere. Although somewhat
similar to the experiments of the students of the University
of Bremen in the ESA parabolic flights, we will attempt
to form convective movement on the surface of a section
of a sphere due to the interior temperature gradient.
|
|
