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Test operators performing
low-gravity soldering tests aboard KC-135 Reduced Gravity Aircraft. |
The first efforts in this area began in 2000 and were known as the
Soldering in Reduced Gravity Experiment (SoRGE). For five years, this
project involved researching and analyzing how the soldering process
is affected by a reduced gravity environment.
The SoRGE team performed ground and flight testing, which included
experiments onboard the International Space Station and NASA’s
reduced gravity aircraft (both KC-135 and C-9). The tests revealed
that soldering electronic components can be performed in reduced-gravity
environments, but traditional methods will yield joints that may
be very porous. These effects can shorten the service life of the
repaired joint.
In late 2005, the CLEAR Project replaced SoRGE with the goal of
developing a complete, manually-operated electronics repair system.
This will enable crew members to independently perform more complex
repairs onboard the spacecraft at the component level.
As development continues, the CLEAR Project team will provide recommendations
to NASA management regarding the tools, techniques and procedures
needed to repair electronics during long-duration exploration missions.
The project team’s goals also include raising the maturity
level of component-level electronics repair as a repair strategy,
so that NASA can reduce the logistical requirements needed to support
long-duration missions without comprising mission safety.
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