Fire behaves differently in space. And a series of new experiments may be able to tell us more how.

Meanwhile, plans to go back to the moon and drop off the next man and the first woman are getting more concrete. But it doesn’t stop there. Major global space agencies have been toying with the ambitious idea of ​​actually colonizing our moon – and the red planet for that matter – for some time now. The plan is to build a real moon base over the next few decades. But how do you make it fireproof? A series of new experiments should provide more clarity on this.

Fire in space

How fire behaves on Earth is well known. But fire behaves very differently in space, where there are different gravitational forces and air currents. It also makes it more difficult to put out a fire. “On Earth, gravity has a major influence on flames,” explains researcher Paul Ferkul. “But in the microgravity of space, fire can behave unexpectedly and be more dangerous.” In fact, we don’t really know yet how fire spreads in space and on other celestial bodies. So the question is how engineers should design fireproof houses on the moon, where only 12 people have walked. And how do you do that on Mars, where nobody has even been yet?

Minimal risk

These are pressing questions, which according to NASA must be answered as soon as possible. “Now that NASA plans to build bases on the Moon and Mars, we need to be able to live there with minimal risk,” Ferkul said. “It is therefore crucial for the safety of future astronauts to understand how flames spread in space and how materials burn in different environments.”

Moon base
Incidentally, it will take some time before the first module belonging to the lunar base will arise on the moon. NASA is currently working hard on the Lunar Gateway: a space station around the moon that will be permanently occupied by astronauts. Intensive research will be carried out from the space station into our natural satellite. In addition, the station will act as a way station to other places in the solar system and serve as a springboard for future missions to Mars.†

The US space agency will soon investigate. And through the Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction (SoFIE) project; a series of experiments launched during a resupply mission to the International Space Station of US defense, aerospace and space company Northrop Grumman.

Experiments

In total, five different experiments will be conducted by astronauts in a separate and safe room on the ISS. The aim is to study the flammability of plexiglass, cotton-based fabrics and other materials commonly used during spaceflight, among other things. The microgravity on the ISS allows scientists to properly investigate what exactly happens when an unexpected fire breaks out in space, isolated and unchanged by Earth’s gravity.

Several years ago, NASA burned synthetic resin on the space station. The top row shows the flame growing, while the bottom row shows it dying out. Image: NASA

In short, NASA hopes with the experiments to better understand how fire behaves in space. And that is very important. Based on this, the agency can again better select materials for the design of spacesuits, cabins and other living environments. In addition, the experiments can help determine the best way to extinguish a fire or smoldering materials.

NASA does not proceed overnight with the experiments. Because the SoFIE project will certainly continue until November 2025. “It will provide an important basis for the continued human exploitation of space,” said study researcher Lauren Brown.