1. Physics Experiment Guidelines
Introduction
Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines known to humanity and seeks out answers to some
of the universe's most fundamental questions. It is the study of nature - of matter and energy and how
each interacts. Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass. Energy can be in the form of
motion, light, electricity, heat, sound, mechanical, gravitational, and chemical. For millennia, the laws of
physics have been studied within the confines of the Earth's gravitational field and testing in microgravity
for sustained periods of time was impossible. That changed with the construction of the world's most
amazing scientific laboratory - the International Space Station (ISS). Gravity on the ISS is effectively
counterbalanced by the centripetal acceleration of the orbiting space station creating a weightless
environment. This allows scientists to observe how physical phenomena would behave without gravity,
which is something we never get to see on Earth.
Your Experiment
If you come up with a physics experiment and it wins the competition, it will be performed by astronauts
on board the International Space Station. Remember, you're not being asked to actually do the
experiment -- you're just being asked to explain your experiment idea and how it would work (although
if you want to show any prototypes or designs or diagrams in your video you can and that might help
people understand your experiment better). All parts and materials that the astronaut needs to use for
the experiment must abide by the rules and regulations of the Space Agencies responsible for the ISS,
which are in place to protect the astronauts and the space station itself. The winning entry will be adapted
on the ground into space flight materials, equipment and procedures deemed safe for space flight by
experts and tested. However for an entrant or team to successfully design a physics experiment that is
acceptable and safe, it must take into account some basic safety rules listed below.
Safety Guidelines
Things you can't use
No Sharp Items
Astronauts are not allowed to interact with sharp items that could cause cuts, abrasions or serious injury.
So knives, razor blades, pins, needles or sharp pieces of metal or plastic would not be eligible to fly to the
ISS. This also includes materials that could break easily and become sharp objects such as glass and
some types of plastics.

2. No Hazardous or Flammable Liquids or Materials
Hazardous or flammable liquids, even if contained, or materials may not be used on board the ISS.
No Radio Transmitters
The use of radio transmitters is not allowed for this experiment.
Other restrictions
Contain Small Particles & Liquids
Small particles and liquids will float away in all directions on the ISS because gravity is so reduced, so
they must be kept in sealed containers. There is no up or down. In space there is no “dropping” (so water
will not drip) and there is no convection (heat will not rise).
Small Magnets Only
Only small magnets with limited magnetic fields can be used on board the ISS. Larger magnets may
cause interference with some of the equipment on board.
Temperature Range
There are facilities on ISS, that if the experiment requires, can heat or cool your experiment to
temperatures between 4°C to 37°C, which is considered within safe to touch temperatures for the
astronauts. Ambient temperature ranges between 22°C and 25°C and relative humidity is around 50%.
Reasonable Noise Level
Your experiment may not produce a loud noise that could damage the hearing or interfere with regular
communication on board the ISS.
Powered Components
Experiments may only use electronics already certified for use on ISS. Adding powered components to
your experiment can be complicated, so contestants are encouraged to submit ideas that use unpowered
mechanical designs (e.g. using items such as rubber bands or exercise tubing). However, we have
selected a small (2W) motor that can be utilized, if necessary, for your design (limited to up to three of
these motors per experiment).
Stored Mechanical Energy
Keep in mind that experiments that utilize stored mechanical energy or that release energy must not be
so great as to potentially cause injury or equipment damage. For example, a sling shot used to shoot a
steel ball bearing across the station would not pass the safety regulations. Similarly, experiments may
not utilize high pressure devices that could shoot projectiles or high pressure gas throughout the ISS.
Lighting
There are sources of light on board the ISS. The astronauts have standard, small flashlights and
headlamps available to them that could also be used for your experiment.
Rotation
If you choose to utilize something that rotates in your experiment, the rotating portion must be less than
20 cm in diameter, be enclosed and rotate less than 8,000 rotations per minute.
Size and shape
The entire contents of the physics experiment must not weigh more than 6 kg and must fit within a space
that is equal to or less than 24cm x 20cm x 23cm so that it can be packaged and flown to the ISS. The
physics experiment can be flown in parts so that it fits within the provided launch dimensions. The
astronauts will assemble the experiment once on board the ISS.
Length of experiment

3. Assuming it's a one off experiment, a reasonable amount of time to set up, complete and breakdown the
experiment is 60 - 90 minutes - and the maximum nonstop time an astronaut would be able to give is
three hours.
Prototypes, Mock-Ups, Pictures & Diagrams
Many ideas shine as concepts until they are proven impossible or infeasible with prototypes. For this
reason, it is optional but encouraged that contestants build and demonstrate mock-ups or prototypes of
the devices needed to perform the experiment. This will make your entry more clear to the judges and
voting community. The most important aspect of a prototype is that it demonstrates the experiment’s
feasibility, or in other words, it shows that the experiment can be done. A prototype does not need to
be expensive or overly complicated; it is more important that the prototype demonstrates its function
rather than look nice. Experts will adapt the concept you demonstrate into hardware that meets all the
requirements for space flight. Explanatory pictures, diagrams, and schematics that help to illustrate the
experiment concept are also encouraged.
One of the best uses of a mock-up or prototype of the experiment is trying to measure the experiment
variable with it. If you can measure it well with your prototype, it is likely that an astronaut will be able to
measure it on the flight experiment.
Data Collection
The experiment will be recorded by an astronaut using a high-resolution hand-held or fixed digital video
camera. The astronauts will pay attention to important aspects of the experiment and record what they
see. The astronaut will also have a stopwatch if it's needed.