Abstract
The liquid fuel combustion experiment titled "Elucidation of Flame Spread and Group Combustion Excitation Mechanism of Randomly-distributed Droplet Clouds (Group Combustion)" is planned as the first combustion experiment in the KIBO on the ISS. The objective of the experiment is to obtain flame spread data to improve the percolation model to well describe the group combustion excitation through the flame spread. It is expected that the results of the Group Combustion would bridge the gap between the simplified droplet combustion in microgravity environment and spray combustion. The experiment will employ the Group Combustion Experiment Module (GCEM) in addition to the MSPR (Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack) and CCE (Chamber for Combustion Experiment) in the KIBO. Development of the GCEM has been already completed and the preparation toward transport of the GCEM to the U.S. launch site as well as preparation for on-orbit operation are on-going at present. This manuscript describes overview and the latest status of the Group Combustion experiment.
