Containerless processing in the European microgravity programme

Reasonable acoustic levitation for undercooled melts in space was obtained, but some residual instabilities in times of high thermal transients need to be eliminated. Electrostatic levitation was developed with the acoustic levitator with similar applications in mind. The system tested used a tetrahedral electrode configuration with unchanged samples. ESA's involvement in electromagnetic levitation is concentrated on accommodation studies for the European Containerless Processing Lab for the Space Station Freedom. The gas film technique is based on the processing of samples confined by porous walls. Air flow through the walls create air cushions which inhibit wall contact. This technique is particularly promising for glasses.