The Office of Biological and Physical Research (OBPR) leads efforts in life and microgravity sciences, related technology development, and applications using the attributes of the space environment to advance knowledge, to improve the quality of life on Earth, and to strengthen the foundations for continuing the exploration and utilization of space.

Design Support for Microgravity Experiments

Flight experiments in microgravity frequently require imaging of a subject surface or element. SOMTC supports these experiments by studying the feasibility of the imaging requirements and finding designs to accomplish them. Those programs involved are

• EDSE/TDSE, Equiaxed Dendritic Solidification Experiment / TransientDendritic Solidification Experiment
• DCPCG, Dynamically Controlled Protein Crystal Growth
• ELMS, Evolution of Local Microstructure
• DASE, Dentritic Alloy Solidification Experiment
• TIPMPS, Transient Interfacial Phenomena In Miscible Polymer Systems
• MDMG, Miscible Drop in Microgravity
• SDLE, Self-Diffusion in Liquid Elements
• OPCGA, Observable Protein Crystal Growth Apparatus

SOMTC supports TDSE, EDSE, DASE, ELMS, TIPMPS, MDMG in the optical design and the optical metrology required to meet the science objects of the projects. Requirements include design of illumination optics, optics for photo inititation of chemical reactions, imaging optics, optics for intensity and phase recording / measurement, and fluorescence detection optics.

SOMTC is supporting other projects such as DCPCG, OPCGA, and SDLE in a verification/review capacity.