A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF ONBOARD SYSTEM OPERATING MODES ON ISS
FLIGHT CONDITIONS (IZGIB)
Research Area: Microgravity Environment Measurement
Expedition(s): 1-30 and 33-ongoing
Principal Investigator(s): ● Mikhail Y. Belyaev, PhD, S. P. Korolev Rocket and Space
Corporation Energia, Korolev, Russia
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The A Study of the Effects of Onboard System Operating Modes on ISS Flight Conditions (Izgib)
determines the gravitational environment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) by
studying both heterogeneous and homogeneous (in terms of density) fluid flows in microgravity
using the Dakon-M science equipment.
SPACE BENEFITS
The knowledge of microacceleration levels, their spectral composition, and their spatial
distribution is a necessary condition for the effective utilization of manned space complexes as
a means for achieving scientific and applied objectives, as well as for refining mathematical
models and dynamic characteristics of various ISS stack configurations and for monitoring the
structure’s remaining operating life.
RESULTS
The results obtained during the
sessions using this equipment have
demonstrated that microaccelerations
caused by dynamic station operations
can excite convective flows in a
heterogeneously heated gas
environment. The root causes of
convective flow excitation have been
validated by comparing the Dakon-M
results with angular rate sensor
measurements. In particular, the tests
have demonstrated that convection
can occur as a result of continuous
microaccelerations existing aboard the
ISS, as well as of the accelerations
related to boosting the station’s orbit and to docking and undocking with Progress-M and Soyuz
vehicles.
A study of convective and isothermal flows caused by small inertial forces aboard the ISS RS was
completed using the Dakon-M science equipment during the 2011 ISS increments. The
performed studies show that the microgravity environment aboard the ISS RS is unfavorable for
a number of experiments. To ensure the favorable conditions for microgravity experiments,
External Appearance of the Dakon-M Science Equipment.
Roscosmos image.