PPT Slide

Why microgravity?

N.B. we can not return a molecular solid sample to

Earth so we need to analyse it in situ

Astronomy

• Gravitational forces….
  • significantly different on other planets, cometary bodies and in the ISM
  • affect structure of molecular solids whose crystal structure is determined by weak interlayer interactions

• Ice structure depends on long range, weak forces i.e. hydrogen bonding, van der Waals bonding

• Envisaged that…
  • molecular solids will exhibit greater porosity in microgravity
  • optical properties altered
  • physical properties altered

• Consequently…
  • surface reactivity altered
  • outgassing rate altered
  • bulk diffusion altered

properties of ices in microgravity more closely resemble those of extra-terrestrial ices

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