Effect of G-Jitter on Liquid free Surfaces in Microgravity

Abstract

In a uniform one-g environment, gravity plays a major role in restraining the motion of a fluid placed in an open container. Under microgravity conditions, however, a fluid free surface is restrained mainly by surface tension. That leads to the concern that, given the small vibrations which occur in space vehicles, it might not be possible to contain a fluid in an open vessel adequately. The problem was of special concern in the design of the Surface Tension Driven Convection Experiment (STDCE) to be conducted aboard the USML-1 Spacelab which is scheduled to fly in 1992. In the experiment a ten centimeter diameter cylindrical container five centimeters in height is to be filled with 10 cs silicone oil while in orbit. The container, filled level with the side walls, is then to be subjected to various thermal conditions in order to examine the convection resulting from surface tension gradients [1]. In an early stage of its design it was determined that a study should be conducted to determine the effects of g-jitter on the liquid free surface in microgravity because very little information was available in literature on the subject.