Using the PROGRESS transport spacecraft in structure of the International Space Station for realization of scientific experiments under microgravity conditions

The problem is considered of using the PROGRESS transport spacecraft, which will deliver the payload on the ISS, as a free flying platform for realization of space experiments. For maintenance of the ISS 5-6 PROGRESS flights per year are planned. Usually after delivery of the payload the PROGRESS undocks from the ISS and burns down in the Earth atmosphere. However, the operating conditions of its onboard systems allow to prolong operation and to make free flight near to the station and repeatedly to be docked to it. It is offered to use this possibility for performing experiments on Material Science.     

The Influence of Arrangement of Growth Setups onboard a Spacecraft on Microgravity Conditions of Experiments: An Example of Floating Zone Melting of InSb:Te onboard the Foton-3 Satellite

The results of experiments on the growth of InSb:Te by the floating zone melting in the Zona-4 setup during a flight of the Foton-3 satellite are discussed in comparison with the data on the microgravity situation typical for satellites of this type. When analyzing inhomogeneities in the crystals obtained, we reveal the frequencies corresponding to periodical variations of the impurity channel position (the facet effect), to interleaving of packs in which the growth layers are grouped, and to location of subgroups of the growth layers inside the packs. These frequencies are close to those discovered during measurements of low-frequency (quasistationary) microaccelerations (g) onboard the spacecraft Foton-8, Foton-10, Foton-11, and Foton-12. Calculated values of g at the place where the Zona-4 setup is installed confirm the possibility of impact of such g on the heat and mass transfer in the melt.     

Results of Measurements of Accelerations of Technological Devices onboard the FotonSpacecraft

This paper generalizes the results of measuring the residual accelerations arising when investigations in space materials science are carried out onboard the unmanned Fotonspacecraft. The levels of vibroaccelerations are analyzed in the frequency band of 1–500 Hz for the technological devices UZ01, UZ04, and POLIZON, developed by the Federal Unitary State Enterprise Barmin Design Bureau of General Machine Building (V.P. Barmin KBOM). The levels of accelerations are estimated in the frequency band of 0–1 Hz in the zone of technological operations of these facilities. The basic sources of vibroaccelerations acting upon the frames of devices are determined in the capsule zone, where technological processes of producing new materials take place. In the frequency band of 1–500 Hz the vibroaccelerations are shown to be generated by the operation of Fotonspacecraft units and a drive of capsule translation during the technological process. On the capsule frame they reach the values of (1–3) × 10^–3 g. The level of linear accelerations in the infralow-frequency band is determined by rotational motions of the Fotonspacecraft. It depends on the device location with respect to the spacecraft center of mass and does not exceed (1–7) × 10^–6 gin the steady-state regime in the zone of technological activity.