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'''Low-gravity process engineering''' is a specialized field that focuses on the design, development, and optimization of industrial processes and manufacturing techniques in environments with reduced [[gravitational]] forces.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Ostrach |first=S |date=January 1982 |title=Low-Gravity Fluid Flows |url=https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.fl.14.010182.001525 |journal=Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics |language=en |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=313–345 |doi=10.1146/annurev.fl.14.010182.001525 |bibcode=1982AnRFM..14..313O |issn=0066-4189}}</ref> This discipline encompasses a wide range of applications, from [[Weightlessness|microgravity]] conditions experienced in Earth orbit to the partial gravity environments found on celestial bodies such as the [[Moon]] and [[Mars]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781482265057 |title=Physics of Fluids in Microgravity |date=2002-01-10 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-0-429-17706-4 |editor-last=Monti |editor-first=Rodolfo |edition=0 |language=en |doi=10.1201/9781482265057}}</ref>
As humanity extends its reach beyond Earth, the ability to efficiently produce materials, manage fluids, and conduct chemical processes in reduced gravity becomes crucial for sustained space missions and potential [[Space colonization|colonization]] efforts.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last1=Werkheiser |first1=Mary J. |last2=Fiske |first2=Michael |last3=Edmunson |first3=Jennifer |last4=Khoshnevis |first4=Behrokh |date=2015-08-31 |title=On The Development of Additive Construction Technologies for Application to Development of Lunar/Martian Surface Structures Using In-Situ Materials |url=https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2015-4451 |journal=AIAA SPACE 2015 Conference and Exposition (P. 4451) |language=en |publisher=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics |doi=10.2514/6.2015-4451 |hdl=2060/20150021416 |isbn=978-1-62410-334-6|hdl-access=free }}</ref> Furthermore, the unique conditions of [[microgravity]] offer opportunities for novel materials and [[Pharmaceutical manufacturing|pharmaceuticals]] that cannot be easily produced on Earth, potentially leading to groundbreaking advancements in various industries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Papadopoulos |first=Loukia |title=Experiments in the ISS' microgravity produce new materials |url=https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/experiments-in-the-iss-microgravity-produce-new-materials |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Interesting Engineering |language=en}}</ref>
The historical context of low-gravity research dates back to the early days of [[space exploration]]. Initial experiments conducted during the Mercury and Gemini programs in the 1960s provided the first insights into fluid behavior in microgravity.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |url=https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/book/10.2514/4.866036 |title=Low-Gravity Fluid Dynamics and Transport Phenomena |date=1990-01-01 |publisher=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics |isbn=978-0-930403-74-4 |editor-last=Sani |editor-first=Robert L. |___location=Washington DC |language=en |doi=10.2514/5.9781600866036.0003.0014 |editor-last2=Koster |editor-first2=Jean N.}}</ref> Subsequent missions, including [[Skylab]] and the [[Space Shuttle program]], expanded our understanding of materials processing and [[fluid dynamics]] in space.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last1=Naumann |first1=R. J. |last2=Herring |first2=H. W. |date=1980-01-01 |title=Materials processing in space: Early experiments |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19810007559 |journal=NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server |language=en}}</ref> The advent of the [[International Space Station|International Space Station (ISS)]] in the late 1990s marked a significant milestone, providing a permanent microgravity laboratory for continuous research and development in low-gravity process engineering.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The International Space Station: A Renaissance in Space Exploration and Research |url=https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/the-international-space-station-a-renaissance-in-space-exploration-and-research/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=Defense Media Network |language=en-US}}</ref>
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==== Material behavior ====
Low-gravity environments offer unique conditions for materials processing. The absence of buoyancy-driven convection and sedimentation allows for more uniform crystal growth and the formation of novel alloys and composites.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://link.springer.com/book/9781468416855 |title=Materials Processing in Space |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, the reduced [[Stress (mechanics)|mechanical stresses]] in microgravity can lead to changes in material properties and behavior, influencing fields such as [[materials science]] and [[pharmaceutical research]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite journal |last=Ronney |first=Paul D. |date=1998-01-01 |title=Understanding combustion processes through microgravity research |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S008207849880101X |journal=Symposium (International) on Combustion |volume=27 |issue=2 |pages=2485–2506 |doi=10.1016/S0082-0784(98)80101-X |hdl=2060/20000000185 |issn=0082-0784|hdl-access=free }}</ref>
== Challenges ==
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Designing equipment for low-gravity operations requires addressing several unique factors
# Mass and volume constraints: Space missions have strict limitations on [[payload]] mass and volume, necessitating compact and lightweight designs.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Werkheiser |first1=Mary J. |last2=Fiske |first2=Michael |last3=Edmunson |first3=Jennifer |last4=Khoshnevis |first4=Behrokh |date=2015-08-31 |title=On The Development of Additive Construction Technologies for Application to Development of Lunar/Martian Surface Structures Using In-Situ Materials |url=https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2015-4451 |journal=AIAA 2015-4451 Session: Space Habitat Construction Methods |language=en |publisher=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics |doi=10.2514/6.2015-4451 |hdl=2060/20150021416 |isbn=978-1-62410-334-6|hdl-access=free }}</ref>
# Automation and remote operation: Many processes must be designed for [[Autonomous robot|autonomous]] or remote operation due to limited human presence in space environments.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sheridan |first=T.B. |date=October 1993 |title=Space teleoperation through time delay: review and prognosis |url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/258052 |journal=IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation |volume=9 |issue=5 |pages=592–606 |doi=10.1109/70.258052}}</ref>
# Reliability and redundancy: The inaccessibility of space environments demands highly reliable systems with built-in [[Redundancy (engineering)|redundancies]] to mitigate potential failures.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://isulibrary.isunet.edu/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=10279 |title=Space Safety and Human Performance |date=2017-11-10 |publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann |isbn=978-0-08-101869-9 |language=en-US}}</ref>
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=== International space station facilities ===
The International Space Station serves as a permanent microgravity laboratory, offering long-duration experiments in various scientific disciplines.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Thumm |first1=Tracy |last2=Robinson |first2=Julie A. |last3=Alleyne |first3=Camille |last4=Hasbrook |first4=Pete |last5=Mayo |first5=Susan |last6=Buckley |first6=Nicole |last7=Johnson-Green |first7=Perry |last8=Karabadzhak |first8=George |last9=Kamigaichi |first9=Shigeki |last10=Umemura |first10=Sayaka |last11=Sorokin |first11=Igor V. |last12=Zell |first12=Martin |last13=Istasse |first13=Eric |last14=Sabbagh |first14=Jean |last15=Pignataro |first15=Salvatore |date=2014-10-01 |title=International space station accomplishments update: Scientific discovery, advancing future exploration, and benefits brought home to earth |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0094576514002161 |journal=Acta Astronautica |volume=103 |pages=235–242 |doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2014.06.017 |bibcode=2014AcAau.103..235T |hdl=2060/20140002474 |issn=0094-5765|hdl-access=free }}</ref> Key research facilities on the ISS include:
# [[Fluid Science Laboratory|Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL)]]: Designed for studying fluid physics in microgravity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fluid Science Laboratory |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Columbus/Fluid_Science_Laboratory |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref>
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