NASA KC-135 Flight Georgia Tech Aerospace Engineering October 18, 2001 Dynamic Behavior of Surface Tension in Microgravity

What is the KC-135? NASA’s Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities (RSGFO) Program –College and high school students submit scientific experiment proposals –If selected, fly experiment aboard KC-135 KC-135 Weightless Wonder –a.k.a the “Vomit Comet” –Flies in parabolas to simulate weightlessness –Used primarily for astronaut training

Our Experiment Dynamic Behavior of Surface Tension in Microgravity Basic idea –View the dynamic motion of liquids of varying surface tension in zero-g Objectives –Determine the frequency at which liquids oscillate –Determine a dampening effect

Experimental Setup Liquids used Water, water and soap, milk, olive oil, and Jello Liquid deployment Popped balloons with needles Liquid Containment Housed in a sealed container with access by gloves

Pre-Flight Test Readiness Review Lectures Chamber Ride Taken to simulated altitude of 25,000 ft to experience hypoxia Tours of NASA

Flight Day 1 Flyers –Robbie Coffman –Daniel Uhlig Tested –Balloon size Found –Large balloons popped the best

Flight Day 2 Flyers –Courtney Spells –Alisa Hawkins Tested –Liquids of different surface tension

Plane Motion Variables: a – acceleration t – time v – velocity g – gravity y – position Equations of Motion: a = -g ∫ a dt = - ∫ g dt ∫ a dt = - g ∫ dt v = - gt + V o ∫ v dt = - g ∫ (t + V o )dt y = -gt 2 /2 + V o t + y o What shape must the plane’s trajectory be in order to match the acceleration of gravity?