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 usedWater, water and soap, milk,

olive oil, and Jello

• Liquid deploymentPopped balloons with needles

• Liquid ContainmentHoused in a sealed container

with access by gloves

Pre-Flight• Test Readiness Review• Lectures

• Chamber RideTaken 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 + Vo

∫ v dt = - g ∫ (t + Vo)dt

y = -gt2/2 + Vo t + yo

What shape must the plane’s trajectory be in order to match the acceleration of gravity?