University Research on the ISS

PSU in Space: Experiments underway on the International Space Station

“The goal of this series of experiments is to test how fluid in specially shaped conduits behaves in zero gravity. The scientists on Earth – at PSU and at the University of Bremen – are manipulating the fluid movement to see at what point bubbles form. Formation of bubbles decreases fuel efficiency, and is particular to zero-gravity situations. Fuel tanks on spacecraft are designed in a way that minimizes this occurrence, but these experiments may shed light on how tanks might be designed smaller – a logistical advantage in sending any kind of craft into space, according to Bob Green, one of the NASA scientists working temporarily at PSU.”