The goal of the Gas-Grain Simulation Facility project is to provide a microgravity laboratory to facilitate research relevant to exobiology (the study of the origin and evolution of life in the universe). Such a facility will also be useful in other areas of study important to NASA including planetary science, biology, atmospheric science, astrophysics, chemistry, and physics. To achieve this goal, the project will develop and support the GGSF, a modular facility-class payload planned for inclusion on Space Station Freedom. The GGSF will consist of the following: an experiment chamber(s) supported by subsystems that provide chamber environment regulation and monitoring capabilities; sample generation, injection, positioning, and retrieval capabilities; and computer control, data acquisition, and housekeeping capabilities. The facility will also provide analytical tools such as light-scattering measurement systems, aerosol size-spectrum measurement devices, and optical imaging systems

Greenwald, Ken

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

N93"22626,
GAS-GRAIN SIMULATION FACILITY (GGSF) -"
Presented by Ken Greenwald
Space Science Division, Solar Systems Exploration Branch
NASA Ames Research Center
ABSTRACT
The goal of the Gas-Grain Simulation Facility project is to provide a microgravity laboratory to
facilitate research relevant to exobiology (the study of the origin and evolution of life in the universe).
Such a facility will also be useful in other areas of study important to NASA including planetary
science, biology, atmospheric science, astrophysics, chemistry, and physics. To achieve this goal, the
project will develop and support the GGSF, a modular facility-class payload planned for inclusion
on Space Station Freedom. The GGSF will consist of an experiment chamber(s) supported by
subsystems that provide chamber environment regulation and monitoring capabilities; sample
generation, injection, positioning, and retrieval capabilities; and computer control, data acquisition
and housekeeping capabilities. The facility will also provide analytical tools such as light-scattering
measurement systems, aerosol size-spectrum measurement devices, and optical imaging systems.
As much as possible, facility components will be designed to be modular, allowing evolutionary
growth of the facility capabilities. A modular design will also allow flexibility in facility configu-
ration; provide for on-orbit integration of experiment unique equipment into the facility; and allow
GGSF subsystems to be added, removed or exchanged with minimal crew interaction. To further
minimize crew interaction requirements, the GGSF and each experiment to be performed on the
GGSF are expected to make use of automation, telescience and artificial intelligence, allowing nearly
autonomous operation.
Laboratory research enabled by the GGSF involves simulating and studying fundamental chemical
and physical processes such as formation, growth, nucleation, condensation, evaporation, aggrega-
tion, coagulation, collision and mutual interaction of small (sub-micron to millimeter size) particles
(e.g., crystals, powders, liquid droplets and dust grains). Twenty-two potential GGSF experiments
involving such processes have been defined to date. Benefits of microgravity and specific potential
experiments representative of the various disciplines will be discussed.
Currently, TRW is conducting a Phase A engineering reference design study for the GGSF. This
design will be outlined and sketches of the concept shown. The GGSF science community met to
discuss science requirements and this reference design at the third GGSF science workshop held in
May of 1992 at the Desert Research Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada. The project is currently working
toward launch of the GGSF to Space Station Freedom in 1998. GGSF science and hardware concept
validation tests both ground and space-based are being planned with precursor experiments
scheduled for launch on Shuttle in 1996.
Other work related to GGSF development includes four experiment concept studies for the Aerosol
Physics Module, a precursor to the GGSF. These explore potential GGSF experiments dealing with
smoke agglomerates, fractal particles, Titan atmosphere aerosols, and organic compound synthesis
on growing particles. Another related study involves numerical modeling of coagulation and
diffusion effects in the GGSF as a tool for experiment design and data analysis. Also related to GGSF
development is an experiment just successfully completed in July on the Space Shuttle mission
USML- 1, which studied a method of dispersing solid particles in a microgravity environment.
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https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19930013437 2020-03-17T06:24:20+00:00Z

Gas-Grain Simulation Facility (GGSF)
Space Station Freedom Utilization Conference
Hunstville, Alabama
August 3 - 6, 1992
Ken Greenwald
NASA Ames Research Center
GGSF
OAIORAmN
I+MULA'TIO_
Antes Research Cen_r ........
Project Goals
• Support exobiology's goal to understand how cosmic, solar system,
and planetary evolution have influenced the origin, evolution, and
distribution of life and life-related molecules in the universe
• Provide a microgravity laboratory to facilitate research relevant to
exobiology, biology, planetary science, astrophysics, atmospheric
science, chemistry, and physics
PRECEDING PAGE BLAr_K NOT FILMED _ 263
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GGSF
rAcrt ITT
Project History
1984-85:
1987:
1991 :
1992:
Workshops propose and develop concept
Physics feasibility study by Martin Marietta
Workshop identifies science community, establishes
experiment concept data base
Science Working Group convenes
Phase A concept analysis/definition study begins for
GGSF and precursor experiment
4 Aerosol Physics Module/GGSF concept studies funded
Science Workshop - GGSF community examines Phase
A design concept
USML-1 Glovebox Expt. tests particle dispersion method
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GGSF
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Payload Data
• Readiness
• Core Facility (MTC): 1998
• Mature Facility (PMC): 2001
• Lifetime: > 10 years
• Mass (total): 700 Kg
• Size: 80"H x 42"W x 39"D (1 ISPR)
• Volume: ~ 1 m3
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• Power: < 3 KW peak
• Location: Pressurized Laboratory
Science Objectives
To investigate fundamental chemical & physical processes involving
suspended particles mainly in the sub-micron to millimeter size range
(e.g., dust grains, crystals, combustion products, droplets, ...):
• Nucleation
• Condensation
• Evaporation
• Particle/Droplet Formation
• Particle/Droplet Growth
• Aggregation
• Coagulation
• Collisions
• Mutual Interactions
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GGSF Science
EXOBIOLOGY
History of the biogenic elements
• Chemical evolution:
- in the solar nebula
- In the interstellar medium
In planetary atmospheres
• Growth of planetesimals
prebiotic evolution
PLANETARY 1 _ d ATMOSPHERIC
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AmesResearchCen_r
GGSF
_ACrL_Ty
Exobiology
Question
What can planetary scale atmospheric chemistry reveal about the
conditions on early Earth which led to the origin of life?
Potential GGSF Experiment
Titan's Atmospheric Aerosol Simulation
• Simulate formation and growth of organic haze
• Measure optical properties
• Determine chemical composition
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GGSF
Ames Research Center '0''_° _'_ p _
Biology/Aerobiology
Question
What is the fate of airborne microbes, and how does microgravity
affect aerosol disease spread in a confined space such as Space
Station?
Potential GGSF Experiment
Airborne Bacteria in Microgravity
• Examine metabolism and growth, if any, of aerosolized microbes
• Determine the interrelationship between atmospheric trace gases
(e.g., NOx) and airborne microbes
• Determine how being airborne affects microbial pathogenicity
266
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GGSi 
Ames Research Center
Astrophysics
Question
What are the properties of fractal materials? Do fractals play an
important role in circumstellar and interstellar environments as well
as in the early solar nebula?
Potential GGSF Experiment
Study of Fractal Particles
• Measure coagulation coefficients of silicates & metal grains
• Measure scattering & extinction efficiencies of aggregates
• Measure cohesive strength
• Study fractal structure
• Look for signatures to distinguish fractal aggregates from a
distribution of particles
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IM/ A GGSF
QA_ O_AIW
ItMUtAT,ON
Ames Research Center ........
Planetary Science
Question
How do low energy collisions influence the behavior of ring
structures such as those of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune?
Potential GGSF Experiment
Planetary Ring Dynamics
° Study collision dynamics
• Measure energy loss in low velocity collisions
• Determine coefficients of restitution
• Analyze the transfer of linear to angular momentum
267
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GGSF
Ames Research Center ":'_'__*_"_' _
Atmospheric Science
Question
What are the properties of cirrus cloud crystals and what role do they
play in the the balance of the Earth's atmospheric radiation budget?
What is their effect on global warming?
Potential GGSF E.xperim_nt
Ice Scavenging and Aggregation:
and Scattering Properties
Optical and Thermal IR Absorption
Study crystal growth
Study aggregation
Measure optical and thermal IR scattering and absorption
properties
Study scavenging of aerosols by ice crystals
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GGSF Strawman Investigations
Low-Velocity Collisions Between Fragile Aggregates
Low-Energy Grain Interaction/Solid Surface Tension
Cloud Forming Experiment
Planetary Ring Particle Dynamics
Aggregation of Fine Geological Particulates in Planetary Atmospheres
Optical Properties of Low-Temperature Cloud Crystals
Ice Scavenging and Aggregation
Synthesis of Tholin and Measurement of its Optical Properties
Metallic Behavior of Aggregates
Organic Compound Synthesis on Surfaces of Growing Particles
Crystallization of Protein Crystal-Growth Inhibitors
Dipolar Grain Coagulation and Orientation
Titan Atmospheric Aerosol Simulation
Surface Condensation and Annealing of Chondritic Dust
Studies of Fractal Particles
Emission Properties of Particles and Clusters
Effect of Convection on Particle Deposition and Coagulation
Study of Smoke Agglomerates
Airborne Bacteria in Microgravity
Infrared Emissivity of Extraterrestrial Particles
Radiation-Induced Rotation of Interplanetary Dust
Dynamics and Evaporation of Clusters of Drops in Vortical Flows
27O
GGSF Strawman Experiment Investigators
1 Weidenschiiling, Planetary Science Institute
2 Sievers and Thompson, Cornell University
3 Hudson, Desert Research Institute
4 Bridges, U.C. Santa Cruz
5 Marshall, Arizona State University
6 Pope, ARC and Tomasko, U. of Arizona
7 Hallett, Desert Research Institute
8 Khare, Cornell University
9 Traver, Johns Hopkins University
10 Oberbeck, Ames Research Center
11 Raymond, U. of South Alabama
12 Freund, SETI Institute
13 Scattergood, S.U.N.Y. and McKay, ARC
14 Rietmeijer and McKinnon, U. of New Mexico
15 Nuth, Goddard and Stephens, Los Alamos Lab.
16 Allamandola, Ames Research Center
17 Rhim, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
18 Mulholland, NIST
19 Mancineili, SETI Institute
20 Goebei, Ames Research Center
21 Misconi, Space Research Institute
22 Bellan, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
GGSF
QA= _AIN
IIMULATION
Ames Research Center ........
Benefits of Microgravity to GGSF
• Suspension times increased
• Permits long duration aerosol studies
• Enables low-velocity collision experiments
• Buoyancy-driven convection reduced (ATcr_ l/g)
• Allows Iow energy interactions that are masked by gravitational
forces on Earth
• Fractals and other gravitationally unstable ( at 1 g) objects may
be studied
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Ames Research Center
Modular Design Concept (Phase A)
• Interchangeability of subsystems accommodates a broad range
of experiments
• Allows for new experiments and technology upgrades
• Four interchangeable chambers
Function Temperature
(K)
Pressure
(bar)
Volume
(Liters)
Core 150 to 400 10 "6 to 1 67
Low Temp. 40 to 400 10 -6 to 3 4.2
10 "s to 1 8.2
10 "1° to 1 4.2
High Temp 300 to 1200
High Vacuum 60 to 300
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The 4 Chambers Accommodate the Following:
Physical Objectives
Aggregation
Biological
Condensation/Nucleation
Crystal Formation
Particle Dynamics/Collisions
Spectral/Optical Properties
Synthesis of Compounds
i
Generation Methods
Low Temp. Nuc./Condensation
High Temp. Vapor Formation
Solid Particle Dispersion
• Single/Small Number
Combustion (Smoke/Soot)
Liquid Aerosol Dispersion
• Single/Small # of Drops
Radiation-Induced Synthesis
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Future Plans
Science and Hardware Concept Validation
• Ground-based KC-135, drop tower; space-based Shuttle
middeck and Spacelab opportunities
• Reduces hardware development risks
• Provides early science return
• GGSF Technology Workshop
• GGSF Science Workshop
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