Zero Gravity Research Facility

The Zero Gravity Research Facility at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio is a unique facility designed to perform tests in a reduced gravity environment. It has successfully supported research for the United States manned spacecraft programs and numerous unmanned projects. The facility uses vertical drop tests in a vacuum chamber to investigate the behavior of components, systems, liquids, gases, and combustion in such circumstances.

Zero Gravity Research Facility
LocationGlenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Coordinates41°24′44″N 81°51′51″W
Built1966
ArchitectNASA
NRHP reference No.85002801[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 3, 1985
Designated NHLOctober 3, 1985

The facility consists of a concrete-lined shaft, 28 feet (8.5 m) in diameter, that extends 510 feet (160 m) below ground level. A steel vacuum chamber, 20 feet (6.1 m) in diameter and 470 feet (140 m) high, is contained within the concrete shaft. The pressure in this vacuum chamber is reduced to 13.3 newtons per square meter (1.3×10−4 atm) before use. Test equipment is typically mounted in a cylindrical container, and has a maximum weight of 2,500 pounds (1,100 kg). Equipment dropped in the chamber experiences microgravity for about 5.15 seconds before landing in a deceleration cart filled with expanded styrofoam beads; it typically experiences 32g during deceleration, but may range up to 65g.

The service building at the top of the shaft contains a shop area, control room, and a clean room. Assembly, servicing, and balancing of the experiment vehicle are accomplished in the shop area. Tests are conducted from the control room, which contains controls for the "pump down" of the vacuum chamber, the experiment vehicle pre-drop checkout, release and the data retrieval system.[2]

History

The Zero Gravity Research Facility was built in 1966 as part of NASA's Centaur upper-stage rocket development program. In order to ensure proper firing and functioning of upper-stage rockets, NASA needed to understand the behavior of fluids (importantly, the liquid gases fueling the rockets), in the reduced gravity where they would fire. The facility was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985 for its role in the early space program.[3]

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References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. "Zero-Gravity Research Facility". Man in Space: National Historic Landmark Theme Study. National Park Service. 2008-06-11.
  3. "NHL nomination for Zero Gravity Research Facility". National Park Service. Retrieved 2018-04-13.
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