SAFFIRE I
Spacecraft Fire Safety Demonstration I
Prevention · Cygnus spacecraft
Research brief.
From the NASA challenge brief
Studies the flammability of solid materials such as fabrics and plastics, which depends on oxygen concentration and, in microgravity, on airflow.
Measure heat release and compare to spacecraft temperature/pressure rise
Determine how rapidly a large scale fire grows in low-gravity and whether it reaches a steady-state spread rate
Examine the flammability limits of materials in low gravity for comparison with results of NASA’s terrestrial normal gravity evaluation tests
Investigate flame spread and growth in low-gravity; determine if there is a limiting flame size and quantify size and growth rate
AI synthesis.
Across every indexed paper for SAFFIRE I
The AI backend isn't connected, so summaries can't be generated right now.
What the experiments revealed.
12 of 19 extracted findings · verified first, then by AI confidence
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01
For Saffire VI, the outlet gas sensor was moved to the verified location at the end of the duct to provide oxygen consumption calorimetry.
Detection · NTRS 20240002981 · p. 3 · AI confidence 95% · Unverified
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02
The temperature and pressure rise in the spacecraft were found to be less significant than the increase in carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Other · NTRS 20240002981 · p. 1 · AI confidence 95% · Unverified
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03
Saffire VI-3 involved a two-sided PMMA sample monitored by far field ionization smoke detectors and particulate matter measurements.
Detection · NTRS 20240007488 · AI confidence 95% · Unverified
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04
Prior microgravity combustion experiments were limited to samples no larger than 10 cm in length and width, whereas Saffire samples are approximately 0.94 m x 0.4 m.
Other · NTRS 20170001636 · p. 1 · AI confidence 95% · Unverified
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05
The experiment module consists of a flow duct containing the sample card and an adjacent avionics bay, with air drawn through the duct by fans.
Other · NTRS 20170001636 · p. 2 · AI confidence 95% · Unverified
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06
SIBAL cloth is a composite fabric consisting of cotton on a fiberglass substrate that burns like cotton but maintains structural integrity after the cotton is consumed.
Other · NTRS 20170001636 · p. 2 · AI confidence 95% · Unverified
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07
Saffire-I, -II, and -III are the first experiments of their kind to evaluate low-g material flammability with direct implications for fire safety on future exploration vehicles.
Other · NTRS 20170001636 · AI confidence 95% · Unverified
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08
The Saffire experiments are conducted in Orbital ATK’s Cygnus vehicle after unberthing from the ISS and before atmospheric reentry.
Other · NTRS 20170001636 · p. 1 · AI confidence 95% · Unverified
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09
Prior microgravity combustion experiments were limited to sample sizes no larger than 10 cm, whereas serious spacecraft fires could consume an order of magnitude more material.
Other · NTRS 20170000230 · p. 2 · AI confidence 95% · Unverified
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10
Saffire experiments are conducted in Orbital ATK’s Cygnus vehicle after it has unberthed from the International Space Station.
Other · NTRS 20170000230 · p. 1 · AI confidence 95% · Unverified
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11
As pressure is reduced, the flame spread rate of the pyrolysis front is also reduced.
Other · NTRS 20200000557 · p. 8 · AI confidence 95% · Unverified
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12
Prior flights revealed that fires can develop to significant size under typical spacecraft conditions.
Other · NTRS 20240002981 · p. 2 · AI confidence 90% · Unverified