FLARE

Flammability Limits At Reduced-g Experiment (FLARE)

To develop a methodology to correlate material flammability limits in normal gravity and microgravity, which allows quantitative estimation of material flammability limit in microgravity based on the flammability data obtained on the ground. FLARE involves an international team including JAXA, NASA, ESA, CNES, DLR and universities in Japan, France, Germany and USA.

Objective

To develop a methodology to correlate material flammability limits in normal gravity and
microgravity, which allows quantitative estimation of material flammability limit in
microgravity based on the flammability data obtained on the ground. The project involves
an international team including JAXA, NASA, ESA and universities in Japan, USA and
France.

Experimental Approach

• Perform extensive research via ground-based experiments, including 1g and parabolic
flight tests, and via theoretical formulations.
• Flight experiments on orbit in ISS/KIBO will be performed to verify the correlation. The
flight experiments on orbit are expected in 2017 or later.
• By the end of the project, a new fire safety standard test method for screening
spacecraft materials will be proposed that addresses the shortcomings of existing
standard test method such as NASA STD 6001B.

Relevance/Impact

• Fundamental Science – studying materials flammability in space allows us to
accurately control the flow field and thus elucidate the importance of a critical
Damkohler number (flow time /reaction time) on flame extinction.
• Efficiency – The anticipated improved methodology should reduce time and cost for the
spacecraft material screening.
• Safety – Terrestrial fire safety; spacecraft fire safety

Development Approach

• Experiment uses same hardware as JAXA’s “Solid Combustion”
• International research team

Related Documents

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Publications

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Contact Information

Project Manager: Shigeki Kamigaichi, JAXA
Project Scientist: Masao Kikuchi, JAXA
JAXA PI: Prof. Osamu Fujita, Hokkaido Univ.
US Co-Is: Dr. Sandra Olson, NASA GRC
Dr. Harold Beeson, NASA
Prof. Carlos Fernandez-Pello, U. C. Berkeley
International Co-Is: Many Japanese Co-Is, Guillaume Legros,
U. Pierre Marie Curie, Thomas Rohr, ESA, Marika Orlandi, ESA
Customers/Adopters (Push): HEOMD/Space Life and Physical Sciences