{"id":344441,"date":"2023-06-09T13:18:22","date_gmt":"2023-06-09T17:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=topic&p=344441"},"modified":"2023-09-13T11:22:16","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T15:22:16","slug":"applied-physics-laboratory-2","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration-research-and-technology\/applied-physics-laboratory-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Applied Physics Laboratory"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\"><div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-light hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"hds-secondary-nav-track\"><span>Kennedy Space Center<\/span><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"hds-secondary-nav-track grid-container grid-container-extrawide padding-0 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-2 hds-secondary-navigation-has-breadcrumbs\"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-breadcrumbs display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-flex flex-align-center\"><nav class=\"usa-breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\"><ol class=\"usa-breadcrumb__list\"><li class=\"usa-breadcrumb__list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/\" class=\"usa-breadcrumb__link\"><span>Home<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-breadcrumb__list-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration-research-and-technology\/\" class=\"usa-breadcrumb__link\"><span>Exploration Research and...<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-breadcrumb__list-item usa-current\" aria-current=\"page\"><span>Applied Physics Laboratory<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-items\"><nav><ul class=\"usa-nav__primary usa-accordion flex-justify-center margin-0\"><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/kennedy\/\">Kennedy Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>About Kennedy<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/kennedy\/about-kennedy\/organizations\/\">Leadership\/Organizations<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/kennedy\/about-kennedy\/current-employee-biographies\/\">People<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/careers\/\">Careers and Internships<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/kennedy\/kennedy-space-center-history\/\">History<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/kscpartnerships.ksc.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Doing Business with Kennedy<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/kennedy\/about-kennedy\/media-contacts\/\">Contact and Social Media<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/kennedy\/about-kennedy\/kennedy-annual-reports\/\">Annual Reports<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Programs and Missions<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/commercial-space\/commercial-crew-program\/\">Commercial Crew Program<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/commercial-resupply\/\">Commercial Resupply Missions<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/gateway-deep-space-logistics\/\">Deep Space Logistics<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/exploration-ground-systems\/\">Exploration Ground Systems<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/kennedy\/launch-services-program\/\">Launch Services Program<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration-research-and-technology\/\">Research and Technology<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Labs and Facilities<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item usa-current\"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration-research-and-technology\/applied-physics-laboratory-2\/\">Applied Physics Lab<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration-research-and-technology\/electrostatics-and-surface-physics-laboratory\/\">Electrostatics and Surface Physics Lab<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/exploration-ground-systems\/facilities-used-for-sls-and-orion-hmdze\/\">Processing Facilities<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/swamp-works-fact-sheet-print.pdf?emrc=e7dcf1\">Swamp Works<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Visit Kennedy<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/kennedy\/maps-and-directions\/\">Map and Directions<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kennedyspacecenter.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Kennedy’s Visitor Complex<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>More<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/stem-engagement-at-kennedy-space-center\/\">Education and STEM<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/kennedy\/kennedy-space-center-news\/\">News and Events<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/images.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Multimedia<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/kennedy\/media-accreditation\/\">Media Accreditation<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-spacer\"> <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-hero position-relative bg-carbon-black overflow-hidden width-full maxw-full grid-container display-flex flex-align-center flex-justify-center minh-tablet padding-y-9 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-hero\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1095\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"Tom Moss, software team lead in the Applied Physics Laboratory, demonstrates the Schlieren effect with a lighter inside the Applied Physics Lab at Kennedy Space Center.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 44% 23%; object-position: 44% 23%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg 5691w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?resize=300,214 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?resize=768,547 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?resize=1024,730 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?resize=1536,1095 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?resize=2048,1460 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?resize=400,285 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?resize=600,428 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?resize=900,642 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?resize=1200,855 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?resize=2000,1426 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top\"><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"hds-grid-container position-relative display-flex flex-align-center flex-justify-start width-full\">\n\t\t<div class=\"width-full maxw-tablet\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-7\">\n\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"display-72 font-weight-extrabold line-height-sm margin-bottom-2 color-spacesuit-white-important\">Applied Physics Laboratory<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg margin-0 color-spacesuit-white-important\"><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-hero-stats\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"color-spacesuit-white-important label margin-bottom-2\"><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col grid-row flex-align-center padding-right-2 desktop:padding-right-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col grid-col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"stat-number line-height-sm color-nasa-blue-tint font-weight-thin font-mono-2xl\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"color-spacesuit-white-important grid-col padding-left-2 tablet:padding-left-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"stat-value line-height-md\"><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col grid-row flex-align-center padding-right-2  desktop:padding-right-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col grid-col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"stat-number line-height-sm color-nasa-blue-tint font-weight-thin font-mono-2xl\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"color-spacesuit-white-important grid-col padding-left-2 tablet:padding-left-3 tablet:padding-left-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"stat-value line-height-md\"><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Applied Physics Laboratory is a research facility located in the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout building at Kennedy Space Center. The lab conducts scientific investigations and works quickly to develop practical, innovative solutions to problems as they arise in support of ground processing and spaceflight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lab tackles complex, interdisciplinary technical issues involving fluids, heat transfer, material properties, optics, mechanics and other areas. Many problems can be solved with a combination of mathematic modeling and simple, inexpensive experiments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">History<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Applied Physics Laboratory began operations in 1989 as the Optical Instrumentation Laboratory, and a name change occurred in 1999. For 20 years, the lab supported ground processing for the Space Shuttle Program. The lab invented tools and systems for detecting flaws in the orbiter windows, including a light-coupling hand tool to illuminate and highlight defects, a window scanner to map defects and stress areas, and a portable tool to measure surface topography down to a height resolution of one micron.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/janine-captain.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1292\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/janine-captain.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Principal Investigator Dr. Janine Captain demonstrates the effects of moving a magnet against metal in the Applied Physics Laboratory at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/janine-captain.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/janine-captain.jpg?resize=300,189 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/janine-captain.jpg?resize=768,485 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/janine-captain.jpg?resize=1024,646 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/janine-captain.jpg?resize=1536,969 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/janine-captain.jpg?resize=400,252 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/janine-captain.jpg?resize=600,379 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/janine-captain.jpg?resize=900,568 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/janine-captain.jpg?resize=1200,757 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/janine-captain.jpg?resize=2000,1262 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Principal Investigator Dr. Janine Captain demonstrates the effects of moving a magnet against metal in the Applied Physics Laboratory at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Dec. 12, 2018. When dropped or tipped over on a plate of copper, the magnet decelerates and slowly touches down on the plate visually demonstrating the physics of the magnetic field.\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Cory Huston<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>When the orbiter Atlantis experienced a significant and frustrating water absorption problem with its thermal protection tiles, the lab developed a solution that could dry 25 tiles in less than two hours using a vacuum system. When a sling used inside the Vehicle Assembly Building to suspend the orbiters was damaged, the lab determined the cause and designed a laser system to indicate strain and warn crews of impending damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lab developed a number of devices over the years, patenting and commercializing applicable processes. Two items the lab commercialized were a laser-based scaling tool, originally made for the shuttle to measure bird scratches and damage from hail, and an ultrasonic leak detection tool, initially created to detect hydrogen leaks in the orbiter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Current Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Applied Physics Laboratory is responsible for window inspection for Orion, the International Space Station, and commercial partners in support of current spaceflight operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the lab is developing Solar White, a coating expected to be about 80 times more reflective than anything else currently available. The coating will protect systems from heat radiated from the sun and may open up new potentials for the long-term storage of cryogenics in space. It also may allow NASA to send spacecraft closer to the Sun than ever before, within one solar radius of the Sun\u2019s surface \u2013 eight times closer than the Parker Solar Probe.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-link-list bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-2 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-4 padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-6 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-featured-link-list\">\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-22\">\n\t\t\t\tRelated Content\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row padding-y-2 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-30-important\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row featured-link-list-row width-full flex-align-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-2 desktop:grid-col-1 tablet:padding-right-3 desktop:padding-right-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full ratio-1x1 radius-pill overflow-hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/robert-youngquist.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Kennedy Space Center's Robert Youngquist.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.1); transform-origin: 62% 41%; object-position: 62% 41%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/robert-youngquist.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/robert-youngquist.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/robert-youngquist.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/robert-youngquist.jpg?resize=200,200 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-8 desktop:grid-col-10 padding-left-3 desktop:padding-left-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 margin-0\">Innovator Spotlight: Robert Youngquist<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md margin-0 color-carbon-black\">Learn more about Kennedy Space Center's Robert Youngquist, who is developing a state-of-the-art solar reflector. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-2 desktop:grid-col-1 display-flex flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/pair-of-kennedy-employees-chosen-for-nasa-inventors-hall-of-fame\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n                            <svg class=\"hds-featured-link-list-button margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\">\n                                <circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path>\n                            <\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row padding-y-2 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-30-important\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row featured-link-list-row width-full flex-align-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-2 desktop:grid-col-1 tablet:padding-right-3 desktop:padding-right-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full ratio-1x1 radius-pill overflow-hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/solar-surfing.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/solar-surfing.png?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/solar-surfing.png?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/solar-surfing.png?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/solar-surfing.png?resize=200,200 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-8 desktop:grid-col-10 padding-left-3 desktop:padding-left-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 margin-0\">Video: Solar Surfing<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md margin-0 color-carbon-black\">Learn more about a revolutionary highly reflective coating that could enable spacecraft to get closer to the Sun than ever before.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-2 desktop:grid-col-1 display-flex flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=J8s7iLD6jSk\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">\n                            <svg class=\"hds-featured-link-list-button margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\">\n                                <circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path>\n                            <\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>For several years, the lab has been studying how to magnetically control the movement of small satellites. The lab demonstrated a formation flying concept, then evaluated the use of magnetic fields to control spinning of defunct satellites, and is now developing a satellite that can maneuver around the outside of the space station using only electro-magnetic forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lab has recently supported the evaluation of ultrasonic sensors as a way to determine the amount of liquid inside hypergolic tanks. And the lab is helping resolve issues with the thermocouples used on spacecraft re-entry heat shields.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mark-nurge.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mark-nurge.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A physicist adjusts cables on an experiment setup in the Applied Physics Lab at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mark-nurge.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mark-nurge.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mark-nurge.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mark-nurge.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mark-nurge.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mark-nurge.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mark-nurge.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mark-nurge.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mark-nurge.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mark-nurge.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Dr. Mark Nurge, a physicist in the Applied Physics Laboratory at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida adjusts cables on an experiment setup on Dec. 12, 2018. The experiment seeks to find new methods of propulsion based on electromagnetism that could be used in robots to service the International Space Station.<\/div><div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA\/Cory Huston<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Software and Avionics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Applied Physics Laboratory often tackles problems using electronics and software components as part of the solution. These experiments need data acquisition and control. Instrument development work done at the lab generally requires software and avionics support. The lab also supports researchers by creating a wide variety of avionics and software solutions ranging from supporting fundamental science tests in a lab through developing complex, integrated instrument systems in preparation for spaceflight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lab\u2019s primary software and avionics project over the past several years has been in support of two lunar payload instruments, formerly part of the Resource Prospector mission, called Water Analysis and Volatile Extraction (WAVE) and Mass Spectrometer observing lunar operations (MSolo). These instruments should lead to a better understanding of the lunar soil as potential payloads on future missions to the Moon. The software team is using an iterative, agile approach to develop embedded payload and ground control software for these instruments. The avionics team also is modifying and developing commercial off-the-shelf electronics into radiation-tolerant payload controllers for the lunar environment for both instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:23px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Accomplishments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Applied Physics Laboratory has more than 40 published journal articles. It has 15 patents, with two additional pending.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=topic&p=155124\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Science & Research<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1022\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kacar_betul_lab21_1179.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kacar_betul_lab21_1179.jpg 6048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kacar_betul_lab21_1179.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kacar_betul_lab21_1179.jpg?resize=768,511 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kacar_betul_lab21_1179.jpg?resize=1024,681 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kacar_betul_lab21_1179.jpg?resize=1536,1022 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kacar_betul_lab21_1179.jpg?resize=2048,1363 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kacar_betul_lab21_1179.jpg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kacar_betul_lab21_1179.jpg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kacar_betul_lab21_1179.jpg?resize=900,599 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kacar_betul_lab21_1179.jpg?resize=1200,798 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/kacar_betul_lab21_1179.jpg?resize=2000,1331 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>International Space Station<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg 4343w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=300,167 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=768,427 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=1024,569 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=1536,853 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=2048,1137 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=400,222 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=600,333 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=900,500 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=1200,666 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/International-Space-Station-in-2021.jpg?resize=2000,1111 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Humans In Space<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"368\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/topic-humans-in-space.jpg?w=368\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); 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The lab conducts scientific investigations and works quickly to develop practical, innovative solutions to problems as they arise in support of ground processing and spaceflight. The lab tackles complex, interdisciplinary technical issues involving [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":344454,"parent":175518,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[2862],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[3917],"coauthors":[8382],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"Applied Physics Laboratory","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration-research-and-technology\/applied-physics-laboratory-2\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration-research-and-technology\/applied-physics-laboratory-2\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA Centers & Facilities","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Danielle Sempsrott"}],"creator":["Danielle Sempsrott"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Centers & Facilities","Kennedy Space Center"],"dateCreated":"2023-06-09T17:18:22Z","datePublished":"2023-06-09T17:18:22Z","dateModified":"2023-09-13T15:22:16Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Applied Physics Laboratory\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration-research-and-technology\/applied-physics-laboratory-2\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"index\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2023-06-09T17:18:22Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities,Kennedy Space Center\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Danielle Sempsrott\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":4,"time_ago":"1 year","featured_image":{"id":344454,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/tom-moss.jpg","title":"Applied Physics Laboratory","alt":"Tom Moss, software team lead in the Applied Physics Laboratory, demonstrates the Schlieren effect with a lighter inside the Applied Physics Lab at Kennedy Space Center.","caption":"Tom Moss, software team lead in the Applied Physics Laboratory, demonstrates the Schlieren effect with a lighter on Dec. 12, 2018. Schlieren systems are used to display changes in the air not visible to the naked eye. Here, hot air rises off the flame, and the image is reflected by the mirror below and displayed on the screen above. 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