CAPE CANAVERAL // An unmanned cargo ship pulled away from the International Space Station last week to stage the first of three planned Nasa experiments on how big fires grow in space, an important test for astronaut safety.
Previous experiments in space were limited to the incineration of samples no bigger than an index card, said David Urban, lead researcher for the Spacecraft Fire Experiment, or Saffire.
“We tried for years to find a vehicle and a circumstance where this would work and initially we would get a ‘not on my spacecraft’ reaction,” he said.
Nasa ultimately settled on using an Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo ship, which is designed to burn up in the atmosphere after leaving the space station.
The Cygnus spacecraft, which left last Tuesday, was launched from Earth in March with more than 3,200 kilograms of food, supplies and science experiments for the station, a research laboratory that flies about 400 kilometres above the planet.
The cargo included Saffire, a module containing a sample of cotton and fibreglass measuring 97 centimetres by 49cm that will be set on fire after Cygnus reaches a safe distance from the station.
The experiment will begin with hot wires igniting the sample. Air flowing through ducts will fan the fire, which is expected to last about 20 minutes.
“One of the big questions is how big will the flame get?” Dr Urban asked.
Fire behaves differently outside the Earth’s atmosphere, so scientists want to test whether microgravity will limit flames and what materials will burn.
The question is not academic. In February 1997, an oxygen-generating canister aboard the Russian Mir space station erupted into a searing flame, blocking the crew’s path to an emergency escape ship.
The crew fought the fire with foam extinguishers and water and the blaze eventually burnt itself out, leaving a thick residue of soot.
The Saffire experiment will be the largest fire set in space since the accidental blaze on Mir.
Onboard sensors will record temperature, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, while two cameras snap pictures. The data and images will be relayed to ground control teams.
Nasa plans two more Saffire experiments aboard future Cygnus spacecraft.
* Reuters
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
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Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
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Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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