Fire safety in space exploration

Objective

"The ""FireSpace"" research proposal aims to address the critical challenge of fire safety in space exploration, particularly in environments with increased oxygen concentrations, reduced pressure, and reduced gravity. The main objective is to generate fundamental knowledge on the fire behavior of materials used in spacecraft and habitats under these extreme conditions and to develop strategies for mitigating fire risks. This will be achieved through a combination of experimental investigations, the development of fire-retardant (FR) materials, and advanced numerical simulations. The key objectives of the project are to: 1. Passive fire mitigation: Understand the fire behavior of FR materials in reduced gravity and oxygen-rich environments. Develop new FR materials and advanced diagnostics for testing these materials in microgravity. 2. Active fire mitigation: Formulate strategies for controlling flame spread through environmental perturbations such as acoustic or electromagnetic waves. 3. Numerical simulations: Perform detailed simulations of fire spread from material to compartment scales, predicting the effectiveness of fire safety strategies in spacecraft and space habitats. 4. Risk management: Consider the interplay between fire safety and other critical habitation systems, ensuring a balanced approach to risk management in space missions. The research will be structured into seven work packages (WPs) involving the design of FR materials, development of experimental rigs for microgravity platforms, and integration of fire safety into spacecraft design. This holistic approach will generate groundbreaking knowledge to enhance the fire safety of future space missions. "