FireDOC Search

Author
Friedman, R.
Title
Fire Safety Concerns in Space Operations.
Coporate
National Aeronautics and Space Admin., Cleveland, OH
Report
NASA TM 89848; E-3511
1987
11 p.
Distribution
Available from National Technical Information Service
Book or Conf
Joint Army-Navy-NASA-Air Force (JANNAF) Safety and Environmental Protection Subcommittee Meeting. May 4-7, 1987, Cleveland, OH, 1987
Keywords
combustion | fire detection | fire extinguishers | fire prevention | flammability | inerting | space stations
Identifiers
spacecraft
Abstract
While fire safety has always had major attention in the planning and conduct of spacecraft operations, the approach to a permanent orbiting facility, the Space Station, will place even greater demands on fire prevention and control. On the one hand, the long duration and complexity of this project calls for more stringent fire safety measures. On the other hand, the importance of making the Space Station accessible to a variety of users calls for simplified and flexible fire controls. The paper reviews the state-of-the-art in fire safety, describing the fundamentals of microgravity combustion and the applications to fire detection, fire extinguishment, material asessment, and spacecraft atmospheres. Future needs in research, technology and standards are identified. These include a better understanding of microgravity combustion, novel fire control technology, and use of methods derived from aircraft and undersea experience.