IMPF is a proposed users facility for the International Space Station. When it flies, it will be available for users world-wide. Science on IMPF will be primarily complex plasma (i.e., dusty plasma) experiments, which have small particles of solid matter with a large electric charge suspended in an ionized gas. IMPF will be a modular facility, consisting of approximately four Mid-Deck Locker Equivalents.

• IMPF's home pages at:
• MPE
• Kayser-Threde
• Flyer providing a technical overview of IMPF
• low resolution PDF, 180 k
• high resolution PDF, 1.1 M
• International Advisory Board Reports 1999 -
• Feasibility study report, April 2000, prepared by Kayser-Threde (Munich, Germany)
• Brochure for prospective users.
• International Annoucement of Opportunity 2000/2001 for proposals to use ISS facilities including IMPF:
• NASA
• ESA
• Japan
• Canada

History of IMPF:

 
The IMPF project began as a proposal to the European Space Agency ESA in 1999. This proposal was one of six to receive the highest rating in ESA's international peer review.

Subsequently an International Advisory Board was formed. Its initial duties were to make recommendations to the German Aerospace Center DLR. The first recommendation was to carry out an feasibility study, which the DLR funded.

The feasibility study, carried out by the German company Kayser-Threde, constituted an early part of Phase A for the experiment.

Subsequently the International Advisory Board recommended a continued Phase B for the project, and for the project to be internationalized. The DLR has funded the Phase B program, which began in 2000. All the recommendations of the Board can be found in its reports (see above).

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