Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32186: Exploring Fire Behavior in Space: The Structure and Liftoff in Combustion Experiment

Fire behaves differently in space than it does on Earth. Without gravity-driven convection, flames are rounder, slower, and cooler. These unique conditions allow scientists to study combustion at a fundamental level, leading to innovations in fire safety and propulsion.

The Structure and Liftoff in Combustion Experiment (SLICE), led by Dr. Marshall Long from Yale University, aimed to explore how fuel burns and lifts off surfaces in microgravity. The experiment focused on flame liftoff—a phenomenon where the base of a flame detaches from its fuel source.

Conducted during Expeditions 27/28 and 29/30 on the ISS, SLICE used advanced diagnostics to study how flame shape, structure, and liftoff thresholds change in zero gravity. High-speed imaging and sensors measured temperature, flow fields, and combustion products.

Findings from SLICE improve our understanding of combustion efficiency and pollutant formation. In space, where fire safety is paramount, such knowledge is vital. SLICE also informs the design of more efficient engines and energy systems back on Earth.

This research contributes to aerospace safety protocols, spacecraft design, and even next-generation terrestrial combustion systems such as gas turbines and internal combustion engines.

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