Evaluation of Spacecraft Smoke Detector Performance in the Low-Gravity Environment.

In the interest of fire prevention, most materials used in the interior construction of manned spacecraft are non-flammable, however, they do produce smoke when overheated. Spacecraft smoke detectors will ideally detect smoke generated by oxidative pyrolysis (such as smoldering) in order to allow the maximum time for the crew to respond before a larger flaming fire develops. An experiment on the International Space Station (ISS) characterized smoke from overheating common spacecraft materials.