Crystal Growth Experiments of Ice in Kibo of ISS

Abstract

Microgravity experiments for ice crystal growth were conducted twice in the Japan Experiment Module “Kibo” of the International Space Station. Experimental cartridges newly developed for each experiment were transported to the space station and installed in the SCOF facility. All of the experiments were possibly could be performed by using a tele-control system on the ground. Crystal patterns during free growth of ice crystals in supercooled water were observed by using specially designed interference microscopes. Experiments were carried out for ice crystal growth in supercooled pure water (D2O) and in a supercooled solution (H2O) of antifreeze glycoprotein. Based on analysis of moving images, the pattern formation mechanism of ice dendrites in pure water and the fluctuation mechanism of growth rates in protein solution are discussed.