Physics Experiment Guidelines

Introduction

Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines known to humanity and seeks out answers to some of the universe's most fundamental questions. It is the study of nature - of matter and energy and how each interacts. Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass. Energy can be in the form of motion, light, electricity, heat, sound, mechanical, gravitational, and chemical. For millennia, the laws of physics have been studied within the confines of the Earth's gravitational field and testing in microgravity for sustained periods of time was impossible. That changed with the construction of the world's most amazing scientific laboratory - the International Space Station (ISS). Gravity on the ISS is effectively counterbalanced by the centripetal acceleration of the orbiting space station creating a weightless environment. This allows scientists to observe how physical phenomena would behave without gravity, which is something we never get to see on Earth.

Your Experiment If you come up with a physics experiment and it wins the competition, it will be performed by astronauts on board the International Space Station. Remember, you're not being asked to actually do the experiment -- you're just being asked to explain your experiment idea and how it would work (although if you want to show any prototypes or designs or diagrams in your video you can and that might help people understand your experiment better). All parts and materials that the astronaut needs to use for the experiment must abide by the rules and regulations of the Space Agencies responsible for the ISS, which are in place to protect the astronauts and the space station itself. The winning entry will be adapted on the ground into space flight materials, equipment and procedures deemed safe for space flight by experts and tested. However for an entrant or team to successfully design a physics experiment that is acceptable and safe, it must take into account some basic safety rules listed below.

Safety Guidelines Things you can't use No Sharp ItemsAstronauts are not allowed to interact with sharp items that could cause cuts, abrasions or serious injury. So knives, razor blades, pins, needles or sharp pieces of metal or plastic would not be eligible to fly to the ISS. This also includes materials that could break easily and become sharp objects such as glass and some types of plastics.

No Hazardous or Flammable Liquids or MaterialsHazardous or flammable liquids, even if contained, or materials may not be used on board the ISS. No Radio TransmittersThe use of radio transmitters is not allowed for this experiment. Other restrictions Contain Small Particles & LiquidsSmall particles and liquids will float away in all directions on the ISS because gravity is so reduced, so they must be kept in sealed containers. There is no up or down. In space there is no “dropping” (so water will not drip) and there is no convection (heat will not rise). Small Magnets OnlyOnly small magnets with limited magnetic fields can be used on board the ISS. Larger magnets may cause interference with some of the equipment on board. Temperature RangeThere are facilities on ISS, that if the experiment requires, can heat or cool your experiment to temperatures between 4°C to 37°C, which is considered within safe to touch temperatures for the astronauts. Ambient temperature ranges between 22°C and 25°C and relative humidity is around 50%. Reasonable Noise LevelYour experiment may not produce a loud noise that could damage the hearing or interfere with regular communication on board the ISS. Powered ComponentsExperiments may only use electronics already certified for use on ISS. Adding powered components to your experiment can be complicated, so contestants are encouraged to submit ideas that use unpowered mechanical designs (e.g. using items such as rubber bands or exercise tubing). However, we have selected a small (2W) motor that can be utilized, if necessary, for your design (limited to up to three of these motors per experiment). Stored Mechanical EnergyKeep in mind that experiments that utilize stored mechanical energy or that release energy must not be so great as to potentially cause injury or equipment damage. For example, a sling shot used to shoot a steel ball bearing across the station would not pass the safety regulations. Similarly, experiments may not utilize high pressure devices that could shoot projectiles or high pressure gas throughout the ISS. LightingThere are sources of light on board the ISS. The astronauts have standard, small flashlights and headlamps available to them that could also be used for your experiment. RotationIf you choose to utilize something that rotates in your experiment, the rotating portion must be less than 20 cm in diameter, be enclosed and rotate less than 8,000 rotations per minute. Size and shapeThe entire contents of the physics experiment must not weigh more than 6 kg and must fit within a space that is equal to or less than 24cm x 20cm x 23cm so that it can be packaged and flown to the ISS. The physics experiment can be flown in parts so that it fits within the provided launch dimensions. The astronauts will assemble the experiment once on board the ISS. Length of experiment

Assuming it's a one off experiment, a reasonable amount of time to set up, complete and breakdown the experiment is 60 - 90 minutes - and the maximum nonstop time an astronaut would be able to give is three hours.

Prototypes, Mock-Ups, Pictures & Diagrams Many ideas shine as concepts until they are proven impossible or infeasible with prototypes. For this reason, it is optional but encouraged that contestants build and demonstrate mock-ups or prototypes of the devices needed to perform the experiment. This will make your entry more clear to the judges and voting community. The most important aspect of a prototype is that it demonstrates the experiment’s feasibility, or in other words, it shows that the experiment can be done. A prototype does not need to be expensive or overly complicated; it is more important that the prototype demonstrates its function rather than look nice. Experts will adapt the concept you demonstrate into hardware that meets all the requirements for space flight. Explanatory pictures, diagrams, and schematics that help to illustrate the experiment concept are also encouraged. One of the best uses of a mock-up or prototype of the experiment is trying to measure the experiment variable with it. If you can measure it well with your prototype, it is likely that an astronaut will be able to measure it on the flight experiment.

Data Collection The experiment will be recorded by an astronaut using a high-resolution hand-held or fixed digital video camera. The astronauts will pay attention to important aspects of the experiment and record what they see. The astronaut will also have a stopwatch if it's needed.