Laser piloted ignition of electrical wire in microgravity

Abstract

This work studied the piloted ignition of electrical wires in both normal gravity and microgravity using the laser-induced spark. Unique experiments were conducted in the microgravity parabolic flight with laboratory wires under the oxygen concentration of 14-21% and external radiation of up to 15.9 kW/m2. The wire sample consists of a 2.5-mm thick core, using the solid copper (Cu) or the hollow stainless steel (SS) tube, and a 0.75-mm thick black polyethylene (PE) insulation. This is the first piloted-ignition experiment on solid fuel in microgravity with the laser-induced spark as the pilot. Experimental results show that regardless of the oxygen level, the ignition delay time is always smaller in microgravity than in normal gravity, indicating a higher fire risk in the microgravity space environment. As the heat flux and the oxygen concentration increase, auto-ignition is observed. Moreover, if the core is exposed to the external heating source, it can heat the insulation to promote the ignition, different from the heat sink found in past ignition research. This unique research provides valuable information about the fire risk of electrical wire in microgravity and future long-term space travel.