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The present investigation was sponsored by the NASA Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunity Program and was conducted by the University of Tennessee students aboard KC-135 in parabolic flights. The goal of the experiment was to study saturated air-water mixture to simulate the dynamics of condensation and heat exchange in two-phase flows and gain a better understanding of condensation under reduced gravity condition. In the experimental apparatus saturate air/water mixture is pumped through a one-inch cooled horizontal test pipe (condenser). Sets of thermocouples record change of temperature of liquid water, temperature of saturated air across the condenser, and temperature of liquid and fog after the test section. The water temperature measurements indicate lower water temperature and larger exit fog temperature at the condenser exit under reduced gravity as compared with normal gravity results. It was also observed that for relatively small water flow rate and velocity heat exchange between air and water streams was larger for reduced gravity conditions relative to normal gravity conditions.

A significant way to attract engineering students, especially aerospace and mechanical engineering majors, to space issues is to implement exciting NASA student programs into the senior-year capstone design experience. Three years ago the University of Tennessee’s Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering Department offered two new projects, named “Microgravity” and “Lunar Rover Vehicle”, as senior capstone design projects. Both require participation, on a competitive basis, in two corresponding NASA programs: “The Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program” and “The Great Moonbuggy Race”. Three years of experience have demonstrated that both programs are very suitable in offering senior students unique opportunities to improve their analytical abilities, develop design skills, gain experience in working in multi-disciplinary teams, solve cutting-edge engineering problems, and familiarize themselves with space issues and technical problems.

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