Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 Experiment Hardware Biotechnology / Protein Crystal Growth Experiments Materials Science / Metals and Alloys Experiments Combustion Physics Experiments General Microgravity Science Experiments Experiment Modules The Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 will carry out hundreds of trials using more than 20 different major pieces of experiment hardware for four areas of Microgravity Research. Most of the hardware is carried in the Spacelab module, pictured here before integration into the shuttle Columbia. Marshall is managing the MSL-1 mission, but the experiments are the brainchildren of scientists from all over the world, including Marshall. This is the final mission for the Spacelab workhorse: MSL-1 will help set the stage for experiments aboard International Space Station. Below, we cast the purpose of each experiment into plain English (at least, we hope so!) to help you better understand the impact of this young, but important branch of the space sciences. (By the way, MSL-1 should not be confused with another Microgravity Sciences Laboratory, a small automated set of three experiments carried on an early Space Shuttle mission in 1985.) Last updated June 24, 1997 Authors: Dave Dooling,Linda Porter Curator: Linda Porter NASA Official: Greg Wilson

Middeck Glovebox	Experiment Modules And now, a word from our sponsors... Building an apparatus to house scientific experiments is as difficult as performing the experiments themselves. NASA and their space partners have developed different modules for different experiments, at different times and for different purposes. One thing links these modules however: they are reusable. Middeck Glovebox Combustion Module Express Rack Spacelab International Space Station (coming soon to an orbit near you!) Middeck Glovebox Some experiments can't be automated and require the personal touch - but you don't want whatever you're handling to get into the lab. Marshall and the European Space Agency worked to develop a Glovebox that allows hands-on work while protecting the crew. For MSL-1, the "middeck" glovebox will actually be housed in Spacelab, rather than on the middeck! Four experiments will be performed using the Glovebox during MSL-1: BDND, CHT, IFFD, FSDC-2 ...more Combustion Module Since it's not wise to play with fire, we often don't think of its as a fluid, yet that is how it behaves. A flame sees some of the most rapid convection possible, so a Combustion Module in space helps slow things down so we can study the details of how fuel and oxygen move. Two experiments will run in this module: LSP, and SOFBALL ...more
EXPRESS Rack	EXPRESS Rack When it absolutely, positively has to be there well, not quite overnight, but a lot faster than most experiments take, scientists will take advantage of the EXPRESS rack. The name says it all: EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to the Space Station. This new approach will get its first trial aboard MSL-1. Two experiments will use the EXPRESS rack on MSL-1: PHaSE, and PGBA. ...more
	Spacelab MSL-1 is the last mission for Spacelab, the shuttleborne laboratory developed by the European Space Agency as its first venture into manned space flight. Most of the MSL-1 experiments will take place within this module, including the glovebox experiments. Take a virtual tour of the Spacelab module, courtesy of the Liftoff team. Spacelab has hosted hundreds of space experiments, many of them leading to our next logical step.... ...more
	International Space Station ...which will include furnaces, reactors, and other experiment facilities in the U.S. Laboratory Module to conduct experiments in microgravity materials science for months and years to come. ...more

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