A chondrule formation experiment aboard the ISS: Experimental set-up and test experiments

Spahr, Dominik; Koch, T. E.; Merges, D.; Beck, A.; Bohlender, Bernhard; Carlsson, Johan M.; Christ, O.; Fujita, Shintaro; Genzel, P. T.; Kerscher, J.; Knautz, Tobin; Lindner, Miles; Leber, D. Mederos; Milman, Victor; Morgenroth, Wolfgang; Wilde, Fabian; Brenker, Frank E.; Winkler, Björn

doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2020.113898

Cited by 11 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…However, arc discharge properties such as size, duration, and discharge energy can be customized and we were able to modify the arc discharge generation technique in our experiment (Spahr et al. 2020) to produce less energetic, longer arc discharges compared to previous experiments (Güttler et al. 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…The experimental setup and the calibration of the arc discharges are described in Spahr et al. (2020). The experimental setup was mounted inside a 10 × 10 × 15 cm 3 sized NanoRacks NanoLab, which was connected to the ISS by USB.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The initial sample material consisted of well‐characterized synthetic forsterite particles (Spahr et al. 2020). Figure 2a shows a focus‐stacked SEM BSE image of a representative initial particle.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Access to new commercially available payloads aboard the ISS enabled the development of a chondrule formation experiment at long‐term microgravity with the acronym EXCISS (experimental chondrule formation aboard the ISS; Spahr et al. 2020). The experimental setup was designed to fit in a 10 × 10 × 15 cm 3 ‐sized experiment container and adhere to the strict constraints regarding technical components and power supply (Spahr et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The experimental setup was designed to fit in a 10 × 10 × 15 cm 3 ‐sized experiment container and adhere to the strict constraints regarding technical components and power supply (Spahr et al. 2020). As this type of experiment was to be performed at the ISS for the first time, the experimental conditions had to be as simple as possible but still reflect a realistic model system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Formation of chondrule analogs aboard the International Space Station

Koch

Spahr

Tkalcec

et al. 2021

Meteorit & Planetary Scien

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Chondrules are thought to play a crucial role in planet formation, but the mechanisms leading to their formation are still a matter of unresolved discussion. So far, experiments designed to understand chondrule formation conditions have been carried out only under the influence of terrestrial gravity. In order to introduce more realistic conditions, we developed a chondrule formation experiment, which was carried out at long‐term microgravity aboard the International Space Station. In this experiment, freely levitating forsterite (Mg2SiO4) dust particles were exposed to electric arc discharges, thus simulating chondrule formation via nebular lightning. The arc discharges were able to melt single dust particles completely, which then crystallized with very high cooling rates of >105 K h−1. The crystals in the spherules show a crystallographic preferred orientation of the [010] axes perpendicular to the spherule surface, similar to the preferred orientation observed in some natural chondrules. This microstructure is probably the result of crystallization under microgravity conditions. Furthermore, the spherules interacted with the surrounding gas during crystallization. We show that this type of experiment is able to form spherules, which show some similarities with the morphology of chondrules despite very short heating pulses and high cooling rates.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Formation of chondrule analogs aboard the International Space Station

Koch

Spahr

Tkalcec

et al. 2021

Meteorit & Planetary Scien

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A chondrule formation experiment aboard the ISS: microtomography, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy on Mg$$_2$$SiO$$_4$$ dust aggregates

et al. 2022

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We performed an experiment under long-term microgravity conditions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to obtain information on the energetics and experimental constraints required for the formation of chondrules in the solar nebula by ’nebular lightning’. As a simplified model system, we exposed porous forsterite (Mg$$_2$$ 2 SiO$$_4$$ 4 ) dust particles to high-energetic arc discharges. The characterization of the samples after their return by synchrotron microtomography and scanning electron microscopy revealed that aggregates had formed, consisting of several fused Mg$$_2$$ 2 SiO$$_4$$ 4 particles. The partial melting and fusing of Mg$$_2$$ 2 SiO$$_4$$ 4 dust particles under microgravity conditions leads to a strong reduction of their porosity. The experimental outcomes vary strongly in their appearance from small spherical melt-droplets ($$\varnothing \approx$$ ∅ ≈ 90 µm) to bigger and irregularly shaped aggregates ($$\varnothing \approx$$ ∅ ≈ 350 µm). Our results provided new constraints with respect to energetic aspects of chondrule formation and a roadmap for future and more complex experiments on Earth and in microgravity conditions.

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Enabling the sustainable space era by developing the infrastructure for a space economy

Anglada-Escudé

2021

Exp Astron

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The world is changing fast, and so is the space sector. Planning for large scientific experiments two decades ahead may no longer be the most sensible approach. I develop the argument that large science experiments are becoming comparable to terrestrial civil infrastructures in terms of cost. As a result, these should incorporate plans for a return on investment (or impact, not necessarily economic), require a different approach for inter-division coordination within the European Space Agency (ESA), and a broader participation of all society stakeholders (civil society representatives, and the broader public). Defining which experiments will be relevant two decades ahead adds rigidity and quenches creativity to the development of cutting edge science and technology. This is likely to discourage both senior and earlier career professionals into supporting such long-term (and often precarious) plans. A more sensible strategy would be increasing the rate of smaller well understood experiments, engage more society sectors in the development of a truly space-bound infrastructure, and formulate a strategy more in tune with the challenges faced by our society and planet. We argue that such strategy would lead to equally large -even larger- scale experiments in the same time-scale, while providing economic returns and a common sense of purpose. A basic but aggressive road map is outlined.

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A chondrule formation experiment aboard the ISS: Experimental set-up and test experiments

Cited by 11 publications

References 40 publications

Formation of chondrule analogs aboard the International Space Station

Formation of chondrule analogs aboard the International Space Station

A chondrule formation experiment aboard the ISS: microtomography, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy on Mg$$_2$$SiO$$_4$$ dust aggregates

Enabling the sustainable space era by developing the infrastructure for a space economy

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