View Full Version : Soldering in space
w0tdh
08-18-2004, 05:15 PM
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2004/16aug_solder.htm?list109631
w4rot
08-18-2004, 05:45 PM
Dats funky.
Seems like the smoke should be going in all different directions, instead of blowing to just the left.
I will be interested in their explanation.
Cool.
w4rot
k6pme
08-18-2004, 05:45 PM
Now that was an interesting video. I wonder what new technology they will develop now.
Its easy to explain why the smoke is blowing off to the left. They obviously have air treatment systems and there is just a gentle draft blowing in that general direction.
However, I read the other day how horrible the air quality actually is aboard that sucker, and I sure wouldn't want to have to live in that environment for the time they do!
I suspect that they will find out the spinning motion has to do with some sort of uneven heating-cooling-expansion-contraction effect that is going on.
Liquid flux on the surface of liquid solder would be an almost frictionless interaction !
Any of you O.T. remember spitting on the surface of a hot woodstove? Kinda discusting to think about, but those little balls behaved in a very similar fashion!
73 from Jim AG3Y