Why Study Microgravity Science?

Fundamental Physics Materials Science Combustion Physics

NASA has a mission to advance and communicate scientific knowledge and understanding about: the universe and the solar system the earth, and the use of the space environment for cutting-edge scientific research.

This third part of our mission at NASA is microgravity science. We use the unique environment of space, with its near-absence of the effects of gravity, to perform science research that cannot be done anywhere else.

Perhaps more than any other science area at NASA, Microgravity Science is directly tied to the well-being of America. It is truly "Science in the National Interest."

By its nature, the knowledge gained through the microgravity science program within NASA touches on areas that are considered crucial to our economic success in the 21st century. Among these are aerospace, transportation, health care, information technology, energy, and the environment. NASA's Microgravity Research Program has been, and will continue to be connected in a special way to each of these areas. The table below illustrates just a few examples of the connection between areas of microgravity research, both on USMP-4 and elsewhere, and their relationship to these critical areas of the US economy.

Industries Considered Critical to US Economic Security

Aerospace	Transportation	Health Care	Information	Energy	Environment
Materials Science Research Aerogel Accelerometer Development and Experiments - the "Micro-G environment"	Zeolite Crystal Research Combustion Research Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment	Protein Crystal Growth Research Infrared Imaging Crystals Research	MEPHISTO Nonlinear Optics Research ZBLAN Fiber-optic Research HI-PAC Digital Television	Combustion Research Zeolite Crystal Research	Geophysical Fluid Flow Cell Experiment ASTRO/Plant Experiment Mechanics of Granular Materials

Linked text indicates USMP-4 Experiments or research areas; other topics are also part of NASA's microgravity science program.

Go to the USMP-4 Science Home Page

Authors: Dr. John Horack
Curator: Linda Porter
NASA Official: Dr. Greg Wilson