PSI-25 · BASS-II

“BASS-II results contribute to the combustion computational models used in the design of fire detection and suppression systems in microgravity and on Earth.” [PSI JSON: objective]

“To summarize, BASS-II's approach, microgravity combustion tests were performed aboard the International Space Station.” [PSI JSON: approach]

Overview

Objective [text]

BASS-II results contribute to the combustion computational models used in the design of fire detection and suppression systems in microgravity and on Earth. Objectives Include: 1) Study the ignition, flame growth, flame spread, and extinction limits for solid fuels burning in low-velocity forced flows in microgravity. 2) Begin to bridge the gap between the normal gravity NASA-STD-6001 Test #1 method, ground-based microgravity tests, and actual material flammability in microgravity. 3) Provide SoFIE PIs with preliminary data to refine Science Requirements. 4) Practical, realistic (thicker) fuels in typical geometries will be examined, including slabs, cylinders, and spherical sections. The primary variables include: • Forced flow velocity (speed and direction) • Ambient oxygen concentration (via working volume nitrogen vitiation) • Sample geometry (rods, spherical section, slabs, films, and fabric sheets

Source

data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/_investigation/PSI-25.json: objective · PSI investigation

Approach [text]

To summarize, BASS-II's approach, microgravity combustion tests were performed aboard the International Space Station. Active crew support for real-time “lab partner” operations. The wind tunnel was installed in the Microgravity Science Glovebox which supplied power, imaging, and a level of containment. Fuel samples were mounted inside a small wind tunnel which could impose airflow speeds up to 40 cm/s. Main variables are airflow speed and oxygen concentration (oxygen varied below 21% by adding nitrogen). Flame appearance, flame growth, and spread rates were determined in both the opposed and concurrent flow.

Source

data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/_investigation/PSI-25.json: approach · PSI investigation

Hypothesis [text]

BASS–II tests the hypothesis that materials in microgravity, with adequate ventilation, burn as well if not better than the same material in normal gravity with other conditions being identical (pressure, O2 concentration, temperature, etc.). NASA tests and controls materials from a flammability perspective using an upward burning test in normal gravity, which is considered to be the worst-case geometry for flammability of the material on Earth. However, it may not be conservative for flammability in space. Testing at constant O2 mole fractions permits studying flame spread and extinction at low and high flow speed. We are interested in finding the fundamental limit for a given material.

Source

data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/_investigation/PSI-25.json: hypothesis · PSI investigation

Research impacts [text]

A primary goal of BASS-II is improved spacecraft fire safety, improved understanding of combustion in space and how to avoid it. If you’re on a mission far from Earth, a fire can be catastrophic. BASS-II helps engineers select the safest materials and improve firefighting methods on future space missions. In outer space, fuels burn as oval balls rather than with an upward pointed cone flame as they do on Earth. This simpler combustion process enables researchers to evaluate computer models of fuel burning. These models can then be used to more accurately study flames on Earth, such as in wildfires, building fires, energy recapture from waste recycling, and other combustion problems.

Source

data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/_investigation/PSI-25.json: researchImpacts · PSI investigation

Hardware [text]

Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG)

Source

data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/_investigation/PSI-25.json: experimentHardware · PSI investigation

Flight program [text]

International Space Station (ISS)

Source

data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/_investigation/PSI-25.json: flightProgram · PSI investigation

Start date [text]

01-01-2010

Source

data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/_investigation/PSI-25.json: investigationStartDate · PSI investigation

End date [text]

12-31-2022

Source

data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/_investigation/PSI-25.json: investigationEndDate · PSI investigation

Tests

129 tests with extracted table records (SAME-R aging sub-runs grouped by parent ID) · 884 extracted values (source: data/conditions/PSI-25.csv).

Variation is observed in extracted values; it does not establish the experimental design.

Variable	Observed	Distinct values / tests	Range
flow_configuration [data/conditions/PSI-25.csv]	distinct values as recorded	2 / 99	concurrent, opposed
fuel_phase [data/conditions/PSI-25.csv]	observed constant	1 / 128	solid
material [data/conditions/PSI-25.csv]	distinct values as recorded	51 / 129	0.5" black rod, 1 cm 0.2 mm PMMA film, 1 cm SIBAL, 1 cm SIBAL top side ign, 1 cm wide 200 micron thick PMMA, 1 cm wide PMMA 1 mm thick, 1 cm wide PMMA 2 mm thick, 1 cm wide PMMA 3 mm thick, 1 cm wide PMMA 5 mm thick, 1 mm thick PMMA 1 sided 2 cm, 1 mm thick PMMA 2 cm wide, 1/2" clear PMMA rod, 1/2" clear rod, 1/4 blac rod, 1/4 black rod, 1/4 clear rod, 1/4" black rod, 1/4" black rod, 1/4" clear rod, 100 micron PMMA film 2 cm wide, 100 micron film 2 cm wide, 2 cm 0.1 mm PMMA film, 2 cm 0.2 mm PMMA film, 2 cm 0.4 mm thick film, 2 cm 4 mm 1 sided PMMA slab, 2 cm 0.1 mm PMMA film, 2 cm 100 micron thick PMMA, 2 cm SIBAL, 2 cm Sibal moved igniter, 2 cm wide 5 mm thick 1 sided PMMA, 2 cm wide PMMA 2 mm thick, 2 cm wide PMMA 3 mm thick, 2 mm thick PMMA 2 cm wide, 200 micron 2 cm wide, 200 micron PMMA film 2 cm wide, 2mm thick PMMA 1 sided 2 cm wide, 3 mm thick PMMA 2 sided 2 cm thick, 3 mm thick PMMA 1 sided 2 cm wide, 3/8" black rod, 3/8" clear rod, 3/8"clear rod, 300 micron PMMA film 2 cm wide, 300 micron film 2 cm wide, 4 cm spherical section, 4 mm thick 1 cm wide PMMA slab, 4 mm thick 2 cm 2ide PMMA slab, 4 mm thick PMMA 2 cm wide, 400 micron film 2 cm wide, 5 mm thick PMMA 2 cm wide, Japan Wax candle, Nomex natural (nomex III)
o2_mole_fraction [data/conditions/PSI-25.csv]	varied	50 / 129	13.6% – 22.2%
outcome:o2_mole_fraction_after_test [data/conditions/PSI-25.csv]	measured	63 / 125	0.006 1 – 0.222 1
pressure [data/conditions/PSI-25.csv]	observed constant	1 / 27	101 kPa (14.7 psia)
sample_thickness [data/conditions/PSI-25.csv]	varied	9 / 41	0.1 mm – 5 mm

Loading test data…

Additional outcome cells, where available, are displayed as written. Source: data/derived/outcomes_extra.csv.

Instruments mentioned in the approach

The wind tunnel was installed in the Microgravity Science Glovebox which supplied power, imaging, and a level of containment. [data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/_investigation/PSI-25.json: approach] PSI investigation

Experimental table columns

Sample # [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation
Fuel Sample Material [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation
Flow restrictor [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation
Fan display [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation
Air display [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation
Radiometer gain (1000 250 50 10) [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation
Total Frames Shot [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation
Calibrated initial O2 % by vol [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation
Calibrated final O2 % by vol [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation
Initial CO2 % by vol [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation
Final CO2 % by vol [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation
Initial CO (ppm) [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation
Final CO (ppm) [table] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/Experimental table/PSI-25_Experimental table_BASS-II.csv · PSI investigation

Data

Download extracted data

Publications

Microgravity flammability boundary for PMMA rods in axial stagnation flow: Experimental results and energy balance analyses 10.1016/j.combustflame.2017.03.001 [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Temperature and CO2 fields of a downward spreading flame over thin cellulose: A comparison of experimental and computational results 10.1016/j.proci.2014.05.093 [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Opposed-flow flame spread: A comparison of microgravity and normal gravity experiments to establish the thermal regime 10.1016/j.firesaf.2015.11.011 [data/manifest/publications.csv]
The critical flow velocity for radiative extinction in opposed-flow flame spread in a microgravity environment: A comparison of experimental, computational, and theoretical results 10.1016/j.combustflame.2015.10.023 [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Experimental validation of a correlation capturing the boundary layer effect on spread rate in the kinetic regime of opposed-flow flame spread 10.1016/j.proci.2014.06.125 [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Results from on-board CSA-CP and CDM Sensor Readings during the Burning and Suppression of Solids - II (BASS-II) Experiment in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Modeling and Analysis of Intermediate Thickness PMMA Sheets Burning in Microgravity Opposed Flow [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Concurrent flame growth, spread and extinction over composite fabric samples in low speed purely forced flow in microgravity [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Radiative, thermal, and kinetic regimes of opposed-flow flame spread: A comparison between experiment and theory 10.1016/j.proci.2016.06.025 [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Concurrent flame growth, spread, and quenching over composite fabric samples in low speed purely forced flow in microgravity 10.1016/j.proci.2016.06.028 [data/manifest/publications.csv]
A Study of the Effectiveness of a Narrow Channel Apparatus in Simulating Microgravity Flame Spread over Thin Fuels 10.2514/6.2012-3493 [data/manifest/publications.csv]
BASS-II Summary Report [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Correlation of normal gravity mixed convection blowoff limits with microgravity forced flow blowoff limits [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Fire in Microgravity 10.1511/2016.118.44 [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Microgravity Flammability of PMMA Rods in Concurrent Flow [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Using a Narrow Channel Apparatus to Study Thermally-Intermediate Fuel Combustion in a Simulated 0g Environment [data/manifest/publications.csv]
Burning and Suppression of Solids – II Fire Safety Investigation for the Microgravity Science Glovebox [data/manifest/publications.csv]

Data reuse

PSI-26 [text] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-25/_investigation/PSI-25.json: related_glds · PSI investigation

Other PSI records that list this investigation

PSI-26 [text] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-26/_investigation/PSI-26.json: related_glds
PSI-62 [text] data/raw/psi-data/PSI-62/_investigation/PSI-62.json: related_glds

These are links recorded in PSI; their presence alone does not describe the reuse relationship.

PSI page

PSI page data/manifest/web_check_2026-11-14.csv: line 1 URL pattern

In PYRION

Explore tests · · PSI DOI: 10.60555/4qc4-de67