AGHF aboard LMS Spacelab

ESA's Advanced Gradient Heating Facility (AGHF) flew aboard the Life & Microgravity Sciences (LMS) Spacelab mission in June 1996 for materials processing experiments. LMS Payload Commander Susan Helms and CNES Payload Specialist Jean-Jacques Favier are seen exchanging an AGHF experiment cartridge. The cartridge contains the sample that is melted at up to 1400degC and then allowed to solidify. The white ring on the cartridge is the Liquid Metal Ring that, together with the heater/cooling zone assembly, slides along the cartridge to create the steep temperature gradient (100degC/cm). The crystal growth rate at the solidification front (liquid/solid interface) can be controlled by the rate of movement of the heater/cooling zone assembly along the cartridge (17-0.01 mm/minute). [Image Date: 1996/06] [98.04.007-001]