Convection and heat transfer experiments in supercritical fluid under microgravity: From MIR to ISS.

The results of two series of space experiments carried out onboard the MIR in 1999–2000 are presented. The experiments were undertaken to study the effect of microgravity environment as well as specially excited vibration on heat spread from a point source inside a cell filled with SF₆ near its critical point. New space experiments are proposed to continue the series interrupted by the deorbiting of the MIR. These proposals are the central point of the CRIT project planned for the realization onboard the Russian Segment of the ISS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]