Fluid Science Laboratory

The Fluid Science Laboratory ( FSL ) is a payload in the form of an International Standard Payload Racks, which is integrated in the Columbus space laboratory ESA.

The FSL rack supports studies of the dynamics of fluids under the conditions of weightlessness. Processes, which are normally influenced by gravitational convection, sedimentation, stratification or different pressure conditions, can be analyzed here.

The aim of the investigations is to optimize production processes on Earth and to increase the quality of the products. As to fabrication processes that need to take account of fluids can be calculated and controlled accurately, such as the metallurgical process and the crystal growth.