Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32210: When Time Fuels Fire: Uncovering Flame Spread in Space

In the absence of gravity, how long a flame remains in contact with a material can drastically change how fire spreads. That’s the focus of the Residence Time Driven Flame Spread experiment. Led by Dr. Subrata Bhattacharjee from San Diego State University, this ISS-based study investigates how the amount of time heat stays in contact with flammable materials—called 'residence time'—influences flame behavior in microgravity.

In microgravity, flames spread more slowly and take on unusual shapes. But they also depend heavily on subtle interactions between heat, material properties, and airflow. Residence time is one of the key variables. The longer the flame can remain close to the surface, the more heat it transfers, potentially leading to faster ignition and sustained burning.

This experiment evaluates different materials to see how residence time affects ignition and flame spread speed. By doing so, scientists aim to improve fire safety protocols aboard spacecraft and develop models that predict how fires behave under various conditions.

The results are critical for both spacecraft design and emergency response planning. Understanding residence time effects can guide the choice of interior materials and help engineers design better insulation, barriers, and fire-resistant fabrics.

Beyond space, this research provides valuable data for fire modeling in controlled environments on Earth, including high-rise buildings and enclosed transportation systems.

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