Feasibility of Large Free-standing Liquid Films in Space

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential for creating large, durable free-standing liquid films in space to study two-dimensional hydrodynamics, addressing material, environmental, and impact challenges.

Contribution

It identifies key criteria for stable, large-scale space liquid films and discusses the feasibility, including material choices and impact mitigation strategies.

Findings

Films of kilometer scale are feasible with months-long lifetimes.

Meteoroid impacts threaten film integrity, requiring shielding or self-healing.

Reynolds numbers up to 10^7 are attainable in space conditions.

Abstract

We consider the feasibility of large-scale free-standing thin liquid film experiment in the space environment as a new realization to study two-dimensional hydrodynamics. We identify material and environmental criteria necessary to avoid freezing, evaporation, chemical degradation, and spontaneous collapse of the film. These criteria pose no obstacles to achieving films of kilometer scale and lifetime of many months, with attainable Reynolds number up to 10^7. However, impacts from meteoroids pose a serious threat to the film, and require substantial shielding or unproven self-healing properties in the film. Current theoretical and experimental studies of two-dimensional turbulence are briefly reviewed. We also describe a specific candidate liquid for the film.