Cloud manipulation system: Thermal characterization and drop tower experiment

Cloud Manipulation System is developed in the framework of the scientific program Interaction in Cosmic and Atmospheric Particle Systems (ICAPS) of the European Space Agency. The project is aimed at investigation of dust agglomeration in the conditions related to astrophysical processes. The cloud manipulation system should provide 1) high enough particle collision rate to get extended clusters and to observe cluster-cluster agglomeration, 2) possibility to deliver a chosen clusters to the observation volume of high resolution optics for the in situ detailed analysis, 3) varying in time and space forces for the investigation of particle transport phenomena and dust cloud dynamics in microgravity conditions. Thermophoresis have been chosen as the main driving force. Development of thermophoretic Cloud Manipulation System required considerable advancement in realization of thermoelectric temperature variators, modeling of thermophoretic dynamic balance, characterization of system thermal parameters. Tests in short duration microgravity conditions of the Bremen drop tower successfully demonstrated main functions, i.e. cloud squeezing and positioning, and proved feasibility of the system development for long duration microgravity missions.