Materials Science Laboratory (MSL)

MSL supports microgravity research in the areas of solidification physics, measurement of thermo-physical properties of materials, and crystal growth.

The MSL will be installed in NASA's First Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR-1), in the US Laboratory Module of the ISS. The rack is equipped with the Active Rack Isolation System, ARIS, which provides isolation from microgravity disturbances.

The core research element of MSL is the furnace insert. The furnace insert is an assembly of heating elements that will be inserted into the Core Facility to perfrom high-temperature materials research. The furnace inserts will process test samples in the form of Experiment Cartridges. A fundamental feature of the MSL is its capability for on-orbit exhange of furnace inserts. In this way, the facility supports various materials processing techniques, with different thermal profiles. This also allows researchers the possibility to design new furnace inserts as scientific requirements evolve.

Links

ESA information about Material Science facilities in the Columbus Lab.

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