Dusty Plasma Physics Facility for the International Space Station

The Dusty Plasma Physics Facility is a proposed instrument for the International Space Station. The proposal, which is prepared by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is now under consideration by NASA. The proposed facility is expected to support multiple scientific users selected by NASA Research Announcement. It will have a modular design, with a scientific locker, or insert, that can be exchanged without removing the entire facility. The first insert will be designed for fundamental physics experiments. Possible future inserts could be designed for other scientific purposes, such as experimental simulations of astrophysical or geophysical conditions or engineering studies. The design of the facility will allow remote operation from ground-based laboratories, using telescience.