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.
CNES Payload Specialist Jean-Jacques Favier is seen inspecting a processed AGHF experiment cartridge. The probe, melted and solidified during the processing run, is inside the thinner tube of the cartridge. The silver/white ring on the tube is the Liquid Metal Ring, which, after melting at about 60degC, slides with the furnace and the cooling zone along the cartridge to create a steep thermal gradient. [Image Date: 1996/06] [98.04.007-016]