Aerodynamic Microgravity Containerless Processor (AMCP)

ORBITEC proposes to conduct an innovative research and development program that will result in a Aerodynamic Microgravity Containerless Processor (AMCP) technology demonstration on the International Space Station. This system will satisfy microgravity scientists that cannot currently be accommodated by the ESL, EML or acoustic systems. The innovation is based on: the use of a newly developed gas-jet rectifier hardware concept, a fuzzy logic expert control system, an automatic sample loading and retrieval system, a revolutionary sample spin diagnostic and control system concept, a specially designed cooling and quench system, a new containment concept for on-orbit position control of spherical samples, a new, highly-accurate, fast-response optical sample tracking and a tetrahedral laser heating system. In Phase I, we propose to: update and refine the preliminary system requirements by setting up an expert science review team that needs aerodynamic containerless processing in microgravity, perform testing of several critical components, design, develop, and test a prototype AMCP system, and develop the preliminary design for a Phase II prototype space flight system. In Phase II, we propose to develop a space flight-like AMCP system. Many scientists have expressed interest in using this proposed system.