Miners in Space Weld Team
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Henry Pernicka
Abstract
The Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T) Miners in Space Weld Team has been working to refine a welder that will provide a safe and effective way to weld in microgravity. One of the main keys to achieving this is to understand how gravity affects the formation of a weld. Gravity appears to have an effect on the shape of a weld pool and its microstructure, thus having an effect on the characteristics of the weld. The Missouri S&T Weld team has been studying and evaluating the strength of welds performed by conventional techniques in the presence of reduced gravity.
The purpose of this experiment is to make it possible to weld in space. To do this, the results of the past experiments are used to gain further insight. By testing the effects of lunar gravity, microgravity, and increased gravity on welds and comparing that data to weld formations developed at normal-gravity conditions, it should be possible to find trends in the effects of gravity on the welds. These trends will help determine what the necessary conditions for welding in space are. Once these data are obtained, it will be possible to further modify the welder and continue researching.
Miners in Space Weld Team:
Michelle Rader of Marshfield, Mo., a senior in Aerospace Engineering, President and Flyer.
Pat Zerkel of St. Louis, a senior in Nuclear Engineering, Vice President and Flyer.
Caleb Baumgart of Blue Springs, Mo., a junior in Aerospace Engineering, Chief Engineer and Flyer.
Ben Gaither of Benton, Ark., a senior in Aerospace Engineering, Flyer.
Adam Hoefer of Gladstone, Mo., a junior in Aerospace Engineering, Alternate Flyer.
Randy Gieselman of St. Peters, Mo., a senior in Mechanical Engineering, Ground Crew.
David Norton of Springfield, Mo., a freshman in Chemical Engineering,Ground Crew.
Joe Quinlisk of O’Fallon, Mo., a senior in Mathematics, Ground Crew.
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