Fight fire with mist
Fires in space have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to the absence of gravity, which affects how flames behave and spread. The ISS’s fire extinguishers, specially designed for microgravity, use a mix of micro-atomized water and nitrogen gas (or more simply, a fine water mist) to fight fires. These extinguishers work in any orientation and include a wand extension for reaching confined spaces, ensuring effective fire safety in the station’s unique environment. The development of these extinguishers was a collaborative effort involving ADA Technologies, Wyle, and NASA, among others. The extinguishers reached the ISS in 2016, replacing the original CO2 fire suppression devices.
