CHALLENGER'S LOST LESSONS - ER - NASA

17would have been observed instead of chromatographicseparation. The original plans were changed primarily because ofthe complexities they created in the design of the hydroponicschamber. Time was a critical factor driving the selection of off-theshelfequipment and design, testing, and fabrication of all thehardware for this project. Thus, a chromatography activity emerged.Chromatography in Space LessonTests with various inks, papers, and quantities of waterpromised this to be an easily duplicated demonstration for theclassroom. Place a spot of ink on a piece of paper, hang the paperon the bulletin board, add a drop of water, and observe while thewater dissolves the ink. The water moves against gravity due tocapillary action, carrying the components of the ink with it. Thesecomponents are deposited in layers or strata, much like sediment in ariver, according to their molecular mass and the size, shape, and