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| Advanced Gradient Heating Facility (AGHF) |
| SpaceHab |
| Prime: Chiaki Mukai |
| Backup: Pedro Duque |
| Overview |
| The AGHF experiment is a Bridgeman furnace designed for directional solidification and crystal growth, featuring the capability of demarcation of the solidification front by Peltier pulse marking and of thermal coupling of the experiment cartridge to the cooling zone by means of a liquid metal ring. The AGHF includes an electronics module (ELM), the core facility module (CFM), the core access panel, and the gas storage module. The AGHF will not be powered during launch and landing. On-orbit, the crew will configure the furnace for operation, vent the facility, verify establishment of a vacuum, and perform a trial run. Nine processing runs will be performed. When a processing run is completed, the crew will configure the furnace, either for the next run or for landing, as required. Following a given processing run, the furnace is powered down; however, the electronics, water cooling, and air cooling run continuously. Between experiment runs, the furnace will be pressurized to cabin ambient, the processed cartridge removed and stowed, a fresh sample cartridge installed, and vacuum established in the furnace. If a delay greater than 60 minutes is scheduled between runs, the entire AGHF facility can be powered down after consultation with the AGHF ground control team. |
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