SOLDERING IN REDUCED GRAVITY EXPERIMENT, STATION DETAILED TEST OBJECTIVE 17003-U
(SORGE, SDTO 17003-U)
Research Area: Technology Development and Demonstration: Repair and
Fabrication Technologies
Expedition(s): 16, 18-20, 29, 30
Principal Investigator(s): ● Peter M. Struk, PhD, NASA’s Glenn Research Center,
Cleveland, Ohio
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Soldering in Reduced Gravity Experiment
(SoRGE) will examine solder joints created in
microgravity. Recent simulated microgravity
(aboard the KC-135 and C-9B reduced gravity
aircraft) testing has shown that, on average,
solder joints produced in microgravity (space)
exhibit approximately 3-times more voids
(defects) compared with those produced in
normal gravity (Earth). Without gravity, gas
bubbles (from solder flux or water vapor) form
pores or void defects in solder joints and can
reduce their strength. For SoRGE operations,
crew members will be soldering small electronic
components using the International Space Station (ISS) soldering iron to validate the results
observed in C-9B aircraft testing, including potential mitigation techniques for reducing solder
joint voids.
EARTH BENEFITS
Through better understanding of the inherent physics, the study of soldering in space could
lead to better soldering techniques on Earth.
SPACE BENEFITS
The current strategy for electronics maintenance
aboard the ISS calls for replacement of Orbital
Replacement Units and relies on re-supply flights
from Earth to provide the replacement units. This
logistical support may not be easily available for
future exploration missions beyond low-Earth
orbit. Repairing electronics at the lowest
component level could ease the logistical burden
by minimizing the upmass and volume of
required spares. Before such a strategy can be
adopted, data must be gathered about the
practicality of performing such repairs in
microgravity. This includes understanding how
ISS015E06769 – Astronaut Suni Williams
performs the Soldering in Reduced Gravity
Experiment (SoRGE) in the Maintenance Work
Area (MWA). SoRGE will examine how the
microgravity environment affects soldering joints.
NASA image.ISS015E06764 – This image shows the samples
that were used during SoRGE. SoRGE will
examine how the microgravity environment affects
soldering joints. Image courtesy of NASA.