On the development of an optical diagnostic instrument for fluid physics research in microgravity: Revised edition

Abstract

An optical diagnostic instrument is being developed for execution and observation of fluid physics experiments in microgravity on board a manned space laboratory (e.g. Spacelab). The instrument combines a wide field scene and Schlieren observation system of a diffusely illuminated fluid physics experiment with a facility to operate various optical instruments for local, narrow field observation. A measurement object, consisting of an optical glass hardware model representative for a class of fluid physics experiments has been constructed to be used for performance verification of the laboratory set-up of the instrument. Observation results obtained with the measurement object are described. The measurement object is meant to be used as a reference object for mutual comparison and calibration of the present and other observation systems.