Investigations

PSI-47 · DAFT / DAFT-2

“The focus of DAFT / DAFT-2 was to mitigate the risk for the Smoke Aerosol Measurement Experiment (SAME).” [PSI JSON: objective]

“1) Modification of Instrumentation: TSI P-Trak was modified for use in microgravity by redesigning the condenser tube to use capillary forces for recycling isopropyl alcohol and removing the mercury switch responsible for detecting instrument orientation.” [PSI JSON: approach]

Overview

Objective [text]

The focus of DAFT / DAFT-2 was to mitigate the risk for the Smoke Aerosol Measurement Experiment (SAME). SAME relied on a commercially available condensate nuclei counter, the TSI P-Trak, to quantify smoke aerosols in a microgravity environment, however there were concerns that th P-Trak would not be reliable in microgravity as it relies on gravity to recycle isopropyl alcohol used in the measurement process. DAFT / DAFT-2 tests that a modified P-Trak particulate counter would be accurate in microgravity. Summarized objectives include: 1) Demonstrate the Functionality of the Modified TSI P-Trak in Microgravity 2) Compare the TSI P-Trak Performance against the DustTrak control 3) Create and Analyze Aerosol Standards in Microgravity 4) Ensure the reliability of future aerosol experiments

Sourcedata/raw/psi-data/PSI-47/_investigation/PSI-47.json: objective · PSI investigation

Approach [text]

The experimental approach consists of the following components: 1) Modification of Instrumentation: TSI P-Trak was modified for use in microgravity by redesigning the condenser tube to use capillary forces for recycling isopropyl alcohol and removing the mercury switch responsible for detecting instrument orientation. 2) Aerosol Generation: Arizona Red Dust (ARD) was chosen as an aerosol standard due to its ease of dispersion. The ARD was aerosolized with GN2 to create particle samples. The aerosol was contained within 15-liter Mylar bags. 3) On-Orbit Testing: The modified P-Trak gathered data from counting aerosol particles and these data were compared to the DustTrak CNC specifically designed to work in microgravity.

Sourcedata/raw/psi-data/PSI-47/_investigation/PSI-47.json: approach · PSI investigation

Hypothesis [text]

The TSI P-Trak operates by condensing isopropanol around aerosol particulates that are subsequently laser counted. It was hypothesized that the P-Trak would not work in microgravity due to two potential failure modes that exist. 1) the system would clog or become obscured by isopropanol, and 2) the internal air-flow dynamics of the optics chamber of the device will cause an over counting of particulates. The TSI P-Trak was modified for microgravity use via using capillary action to recycle the isopropanol. Therefore, there are two basic hypotheses: 1) that the P-Trak, as modified for use in SAME, would function normally in microgravity. 2) that the aerosol created and filtered per the experiment design would be within the measurement capabilities of the test devices.

Sourcedata/raw/psi-data/PSI-47/_investigation/PSI-47.json: hypothesis · PSI investigation

Research impacts [text]

Extended duration space flight missions with larger vessels will require fire detection systems with increased reliability and sensitivity. This research will impact the development of novel fire and smoke detection systems for the International Space Station and future spacecrafts. Additionally, the successful adaptation of the TSI P-Trak for microgravity can inform the design of instruments for use in other challenging Earth environments, such as submarines or underwater laboratories where accurate detection of smoke can save lives.

Sourcedata/raw/psi-data/PSI-47/_investigation/PSI-47.json: researchImpacts · PSI investigation

Hardware [text]

TSI P-Trak

Sourcedata/raw/psi-data/PSI-47/_investigation/PSI-47.json: experimentHardware · PSI investigation

Flight program [text]

International Space Station (ISS)

Sourcedata/raw/psi-data/PSI-47/_investigation/PSI-47.json: flightProgram · PSI investigation

Start date [text]

03-01-2003

Sourcedata/raw/psi-data/PSI-47/_investigation/PSI-47.json: investigationStartDate · PSI investigation

End date [text]

06-01-2009

Sourcedata/raw/psi-data/PSI-47/_investigation/PSI-47.json: investigationEndDate · PSI investigation

Tests

0 tests with extracted table records (SAME-R aging sub-runs grouped by parent ID) · 0 extracted values (source: data/conditions/PSI-47.csv).

Variation is observed in extracted values; it does not establish the experimental design.

VariableObservedDistinct values / testsRange

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Additional outcome cells, where available, are displayed as written. Source: data/derived/outcomes_extra.csv.

Instruments mentioned in the approach

The experimental approach consists of the following components: 1) Modification of Instrumentation: TSI P-Trak was modified for use in microgravity by redesigning the condenser tube to use capillary forces for recycling isopropyl alcohol and removing the mercury switch responsible for detecting instrument orientation. [data/raw/psi-data/PSI-47/_investigation/PSI-47.json: approach] PSI investigation

Experimental table columns

Data

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Publications

Data reuse

PSI-102 [text] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-47/_investigation/PSI-47.json: related_glds · PSI investigation

PSI page

PSI page data/manifest/web_check_2026-11-14.csv: line 1 URL pattern

In PYRION

Explore tests · · PSI DOI: 10.60555/ztgj-d202

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