The Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction (SoFIE) project, launched aboard Northrop Grumman’s cargo mission to the International Space Station (ISS), aims to enhance the understanding of fire behavior in microgravity. Fire’s response to altered gravity and airflow poses unique challenges for safety in space habitats. By examining how flames spread and are extinguished in the ISS’s Combustion Integrated Rack, SoFIE will inform material and design choices for future lunar and Martian outposts, ensuring astronaut safety. Previous experiments, such as the Burning and Suppression of Solids (BASS), laid groundwork by demonstrating flame growth and decay in space.
SoFIE comprises five investigations focused on various materials, including plexiglass and cotton. These studies will characterize flame dynamics and flammability, providing essential insights for fire safety in spacecraft. Despite its focus on space, findings from SoFIE could enhance fire prevention and safety protocols on Earth by improving testing methods for fire-safe materials. NASA plans to operate SoFIE until November 2025, and additional experiments may be incorporated, with funding from the Biological and Physical Sciences Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. This ongoing research builds on NASA’s commitment to advancing human spaceflight beyond low-Earth orbit.
