Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32332: How Fire Behaves in Space: The Smoke Point in Co-flow Experiment

Fire acts differently in microgravity, and understanding those differences is crucial for astronaut safety. The Smoke Point in Co-flow Experiment, led by NASA’s David Urban, investigates the flame behavior of different fuels in a microgravity environment aboard the ISS.

In this experiment, a single droplet of fuel is suspended and ignited inside a stream of flowing air. Scientists measure the 'smoke point'—the height of the flame at which visible soot appears. This is important because smoke formation impacts air quality and fire suppression systems aboard spacecraft.

By analyzing how flames form soot in space, researchers can refine combustion models used on Earth and improve spacecraft fire safety. The results also aid the development of cleaner-burning engines by understanding which fuels produce less soot under controlled conditions.

Fire in space doesn’t flicker or rise—it forms spherical flames and burns differently due to the absence of buoyancy. Studying these changes helps engineers design better ventilation, alarm systems, and firefighting methods aboard spacecraft.

This fundamental research links physical science with practical applications, ensuring that humans can explore further into space with safer technologies.

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