USMP-3 Microgravity Data
Microgravity data shown below is PRELIMINARY data, subject to changes
once further analysis has been performed. The data result from CCD images
captured approximately every 90 seconds during dendrite growth. As the
resolution of these images are not sufficient to determine dendrite shape
characteristics, only the growth velocity is presented here.
The IDGE experiment is broken up into three phases. The data from
each phase is in its own table below.
Sample Material Tests
These are initial tests to assess the purity of the sample after
launch, and determine the melting temperature.
Melting Plateau: Shape of plot indicates sample purity has been maintained
Freezing Plateau: Melting/Freezing temperature = 58.095 C
Phase 1
Accumulation of Dense Data
This data corresponds to dendrite crystals grown under "quality"
microgravity conditions. The objective during this phase of the experiment
is to obtain data points that may be used in conjunction with the data
obtained during USMP-2, to further densify the range of supercoolings where
characterization is desired.
Velocities Based on View 1
Cycle Supercooling Velocity
Num. ± 0.002(K) (microns/s)
___________________________________________________________
1 1.10 210
2 0.54 34
3 0.76 79
4 0.60 45
Phase 2
Science of Opportunity
This data corresponds to dendrite crystals grown with CCD images
only. This data will later be used in conjunction with g-level measurements
to assess the affect that convection has upon dendrite growth rates.
Velocities Based on View 1 Velocities Based on View 1
Cycle Supercooling Velocity
Num. ± 0.002(K) (microns/s)
___________________________________________________________
5 0.18 3.2
6 0.26 6.2
7 0.36 14.3
8 0.18 3.3
9 0.26 6.2
10 0.36 14.7
11 0.18 3.4
12 0.26 6.8
13 0.36 13.4
14 0.18 3.3
15 0.26 7.1
16 0.36 14.3
Phase 3
Primary Science
This data corresponds to dendrite crystals grown under "quality"
microgravity conditions. The objective during this phase of the experiment
is to obtain a large number of measurements at each of three supercoolings.
This information will be used to characterize the three-dimensional shape
of dendrite tips.
Cycle Supercooling Velocity
Num. ± 0.002(K) (microns/s)
___________________________________________________________
37 0.46 25.06
38 0.46 25.94
39 0.46 25.83
40 0.46 24.07
41 0.46 25.46
42 0.46 27.02
43 0.46 25.58
44 0.46
45 0.46 27.72
46 0.46 27.15
47 0.46 22.30
48 0.46 24.98
49 0.46 25.89
50 0.46 25.32
51 0.46 26.15
52 0.46 25.27
53 0.46 24.10
54 0.46 25.87
55 0.46 24.14
56 0.46 25.85
57 0.65 53.14
58 0.65 55.63
59 0.65 52.34
60 0.65 53.11
61 0.65 52.63
62 0.65 56.46
63 0.65 52.52
64 0.65 55.90
65 0.65 54.28
66 0.65 50.89
67 0.65 53.45
68 0.65 51.79
69 0.65 56.94
70 0.65 54.55
71 0.65 54.26
72 0.65 55.21
73 0.65 53.01
74 0.65 52.44
75 0.65 54.62
76 0.65 53.72
77 0.26 5.36
78 0.26 6.56
79 0.26 6.96
80 0.26 6.75
81 0.26 6.20
82 0.26 5.45
83 0.26 7.00
84 0.26 6.98
85 0.26 6.42
86 0.26 6.11