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Publication Date - 12/3/1999

67. NASA - Microgravity Combustion Science: Research and Flight Experiment Opportunities

This NASA Research Announcement (NRA) solicits proposals for flight experiments and for ground-based experimental and theoretical microgravity research in combustion science. The combustion science discipline represents a broad range of research areas including but not limited to gaseous flames (premixed and non-premixed), droplet, particle, spray, and dust flames, ignition and flamespread over liquid and solid fuel surfaces, smoldering combustion, and combustion synthesis.

The combustion science program seeks a coordinated research effort involving both space- and ground-based research. Ground-based research forms the foundation of this program, providing the necessary experimental and theoretical frameworks for development of rigorous understanding of basic combustion phenomena. This research can eventually mature to the point where it becomes the focus of a well-defined flight experiment. This NRA has the objective of broadening and enhancing the MRD microgravity combustion science program through the solicitation of:

1. Experimental studies which require the space environment to test clearly posed hypotheses, using existing or slightly modified instruments in space-based experiments to increase the understanding of combustion;

2. Experiment concepts which will define and utilize new instruments for space-based experiments in combustion science with emphasis on research concepts that can be accommodated by small simple instruments; and

3. Ground-based theoretical and experimental studies which will lead to the definition or enhance the understanding of existing or potential flight experiments in combustion science, with emphasis on research leading to technologies required by future human space missions.

Further programmatic objectives of this NRA include goals broadly emphasized by the civil space program, including: the advancement of economically significant technologies; technology infusion into the private sector; and enhancement of the diversity of participation in the space program, along with several objectives of specific importance to the microgravity science and applications program. These latter objectives include the support of investigators in early stages of their careers, with the purpose of developing a community of established researchers for the International Space Station and other missions in the next 10-20 years, and the pursuit of microgravity research that shows promise of contributing to economically significant advances in technology.

Persons interested in responding to this NASA Research Announcement should submit a Letter of Intent to Apply by JANUARY 5, 2000. Proposals are due FEBRUARY 15, 2000.