Physics of Hard Spheres Experiment: a general-purpose light-scattering instrument

A general-purpose, multifunction light-scattering instrument has been developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center for Space Shuttle and Space Station colloid crystallization and other microgravity experiments. For a single sample, the instrument can measure two-dimensional Bragg scattering from 0.5 degrees to 60 degrees , dynamic and static light scattering from 10 degrees to 170 degrees , the shear modulus of samples before and after crystallization, and digital color images of the sample. A carousel positions any one of eight 3-ml samples into the test position for separate experiments. Program challenges and flight results from the STS-83 Space Shuttle mission are discussed.