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Low-gravity process engineering

Low-gravity process engineering is a specialized field that focuses on the design, development, and optimization of industrial processes and manufacturing techniques in environments with reduced gravitational forces.[1] This discipline encompasses a wide range of applications, from microgravity conditions experienced in Earth orbit to the partial gravity environments found on celestial bodies such as the Moon and Mars.[2]

As humanity extends its reach beyond Earth, the ability to efficiently produce materials, manage fluids, and conduct chemical processes in reduced gravity becomes crucial for sustained space missions and potential colonization efforts.[3] Furthermore, the unique conditions of microgravity offer opportunities for novel materials and pharmaceuticals that cannot be easily produced on Earth, potentially leading to groundbreaking advancements in various industries.[4]

The historical context of low-gravity research dates back to the early days of space exploration. Initial experiments conducted during the Mercury and Gemini programs in the 1960s provided the first insights into fluid behavior in microgravity.[5] Subsequent missions, including Skylab and the Space Shuttle program, expanded our understanding of materials processing and fluid dynamics in space.[6] The advent of the International Space Station (ISS) in the late 1990s marked a significant milestone, providing a permanent microgravity laboratory for continuous research and development in low-gravity process engineering.[7]

  1. ^ Ostrach, S (January 1982). "Low-Gravity Fluid Flows". Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics. 14 (1): 313–345. Bibcode:1982AnRFM..14..313O. doi:10.1146/annurev.fl.14.010182.001525. ISSN 0066-4189.
  2. ^ Monti, Rodolfo, ed. (2002-01-10). Physics of Fluids in Microgravity (0 ed.). CRC Press. doi:10.1201/9781482265057. ISBN 978-0-429-17706-4.
  3. ^ Werkheiser, Mary J.; Fiske, Michael; Edmunson, Jennifer; Khoshnevis, Behrokh (2015-08-31). "On The Development of Additive Construction Technologies for Application to Development of Lunar/Martian Surface Structures Using In-Situ Materials". AIAA SPACE 2015 Conference and Exposition (P. 4451). American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi:10.2514/6.2015-4451. hdl:2060/20150021416. ISBN 978-1-62410-334-6.
  4. ^ Papadopoulos, Loukia. "Experiments in the ISS' microgravity produce new materials". Interesting Engineering. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  5. ^ Sani, Robert L.; Koster, Jean N., eds. (1990-01-01). Low-Gravity Fluid Dynamics and Transport Phenomena. Washington DC: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi:10.2514/5.9781600866036.0003.0014. ISBN 978-0-930403-74-4.
  6. ^ Naumann, R. J.; Herring, H. W. (1980-01-01). "Materials processing in space: Early experiments". NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server.
  7. ^ "The International Space Station: A Renaissance in Space Exploration and Research". Defense Media Network. Retrieved 2024-08-08.

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