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Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been developing an innovative solar plant lighting system for life support in space. In this system, solar radiation is collected by the concentrator which transfers the concentrated solar radiation to the optical waveguide (OW) transmission line consisting of low-loss optical fibers. The OW line transmits the solar radiation to the selective beam splitter where the solar spectra is divided into two components: plant lighting spectra (l < 700 nm) and power generation spectra (l > 700 nm). The plant lighting spectra are transmitted to the plant growth chamber where the solar radiation from the optical fibers is defocused for optimum intensity for plant growing. This paper discusses the results of the NASA program conducted by PSI and the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at The University of Arizona (UA).

This paper describes results of the thermal-hydraulic performance experiment system (THYPES) of the two-phase flow loop thermal control system using the test rocket which can maintain a gravity level of 10-4G for about six minutes. Feasibility study of this system had been conducted for loading into a experiment module of test rocket TR-IA No. 3. In 1991, engineering model of the experiment system was designed and manufactured in order to investigate its function, performance, and endurance against launching conditions. In 1992, flight model of the experiment system was designed and manufactured. The following tests were conducted so as to ensure the capability and compatibility of THYPES; functional test, performance test, environmental test, and interface tests between the experiment system and rocket avionics section. The experiment was performed on September 17, 1993 and the results are evolved.

As the New Pressure Indicator is easily installed on running cars, without altering any part of the engines in question, one can observe the real working behaviour of the engines, transient as well as steady-state, and not only in laboratories but also on open roads. Some examples of indicator diagrams, unfamiliar and unexpected as well as normal, and also the interesting sequence of them, are shown.