The Magnetically Damped Furnace (MDF) breadboard is being developed in response to NASA's mission and goals to advance the scientific knowledge of microgravity research, materials science, and related technologies. The objective of the MDF is to dampen the fluid flows due to density gradients and surface tension gradients in conductive melts by introducing a magnetic field during the sample processing. The MDF breadboard will serve as a proof of concept that the MDF performance requirements can be attained within the International Space Station resource constraints.

S95-12491 (8 June 1995) --- Canadian astronaut Chris A. Hadfield is seen during training at the Manipulator Development Facility (MDF) in the Systems Integration Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Hadfield will join four other NASA astronauts for the STS-74 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis later this year.

S95-12502 (8 June 1995) --- Astronaut Chris A. Hadfield, mission specialist representing the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), simulates controlling the Shuttle?s Canadian-built Remote Maneuvering System (RMS). Hadfield uses special training hardware known as the Manipulator Development Facility (MDF), located in the Systems Integration Facility at NASA?s Johnson Space Center (JSC).

S96-08071 (April 1996) --- Crew trainer Viet Nguyen briefs Canadian astronaut Marc Garneau, mission specialist, on Remote Manipulation System (RMS) procedures during a training session in the Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Manipulator Development Facility (MDF). Garneau will be making his second flight in space when he joins five NASA astronauts for nine days aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour next month.

41D-3185 (S14-3185) (4 Sept 1984) --- The two payload specialists for NASA's 41-G mission aboard the Challenger chat prior to a simulation session in the Shuttle mockup and integration laboratory at the Johnson Space Center. They are Marc Garneau, left, representing the Canadian National Research Council, and Paul D. Scully-Power, an oceanographer with the U.S. Navy. They are standing near the manipulator development facility (MDF), pictured in background.

The Remote Manipulator System (RMS) eases a mannequin representing an astronaut into position for an STS-61 Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing task in the Space Shuttle mockup and integration laboratory at JSC (35699, 35703); Wide-angle view of the RMS easing a mannequin into position for work on the HST mock-up in bldg 9N (35700-1); Swiss scientist Claude Nicollier, mission specialist, works the control of the RMS during a training session in the manipulator development facility (MDF) in JSC's Shuttle mock-up and integration laboratory. Astronaut Kenneth D. Bowersox (left), pilot, is among the other crewmembers in training for the STS-61 HST servicing mission (35702).

S84-40162 (21 Aug. 1984) --- Astronaut Anna L. Fisher controls the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) arm from inside the "orbiter" as part of her training program in the Johnson Space Center's Shuttle Mock-up and Integration Laboratory. Dr. Fisher, one of three mission specialists for mission 51-A, is inside the cabin portion of a trainer called the Manipulatory Development Facility (MDF). She is able to operate the arm in conjunction with an air bearing floor and to log a great deal of rehearsal time for her flight, on which the retrieval of a low-orbiting communications satellite is planned. Photo credit: NASA

The Remote Manipulator System (RMS) eases a mannequin representing an astronaut into position for an STS-61 Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing task in the Space Shuttle mockup and integration laboratory at JSC (35699, 35703); Wide-angle view of the RMS easing a mannequin into position for work on the HST mock-up in bldg 9N (35700-1); Swiss scientist Claude Nicollier, mission specialist, works the control of the RMS during a training session in the manipulator development facility (MDF) in JSC's Shuttle mock-up and integration laboratory. Astronaut Kenneth D. Bowersox (left), pilot, is among the other crewmembers in training for the STS-61 HST servicing mission (35702).

The Remote Manipulator System (RMS) eases a mannequin representing an astronaut into position for an STS-61 Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing task in the Space Shuttle mockup and integration laboratory at JSC (35699, 35703); Wide-angle view of the RMS easing a mannequin into position for work on the HST mock-up in bldg 9N (35700-1); Swiss scientist Claude Nicollier, mission specialist, works the control of the RMS during a training session in the manipulator development facility (MDF) in JSC's Shuttle mock-up and integration laboratory. Astronaut Kenneth D. Bowersox (left), pilot, is among the other crewmembers in training for the STS-61 HST servicing mission (35702).

The Remote Manipulator System (RMS) eases a mannequin representing an astronaut into position for an STS-61 Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing task in the Space Shuttle mockup and integration laboratory at JSC (35699, 35703); Wide-angle view of the RMS easing a mannequin into position for work on the HST mock-up in bldg 9N (35700-1); Swiss scientist Claude Nicollier, mission specialist, works the control of the RMS during a training session in the manipulator development facility (MDF) in JSC's Shuttle mock-up and integration laboratory. Astronaut Kenneth D. Bowersox (left), pilot, is among the other crewmembers in training for the STS-61 HST servicing mission (35702).

Senator John Glenn visit to Johnson Space Center (JSC). Views of Glenn sitting in cockpit of T-38 in Hangar 276 with John Young, George Abbey, David Leestma and Mark Polansky observing (11150). An engineer explains SPIFEX experiment hardware to Abby, Young and Glenn in Bldg 13 (11151, 11153). Glenn talks with astronaut Terrence T. Henricks and employees in Bldg 9C, Virtual reality lab (11152). Lunch in Bldg 17 Flight Crew support division with Dr. Ellen Baker, Robert "Hoot" Gibson and John Glenn (11154). Linda Godwin, Robert Cabana, Abbey, Young, Baker, Gibson and Glenn at lunch (11155). Astronaut Mark Lee shows Glenn and his aide how to use the virtural reality helmets (11156-7). Glenn shakes the hand of Franklin Chang-Diaz with his plasma rocket in the background in the Sonny Carter Training Facility (SCTF) (11158). Glenn in the Manipulator Development Facility (MDF) Remote Manipulator System (RMS) station mock-up in Bldg 9A with Abbey, Young and aide (11159, 11186). Glenn signs a book for Thomas D. Jones as Frederick Sturckow and Linda Godwin look on (11160). Glenn inside visual-vestibular trainer in Bldg 9B (11161). In conference room meeting with astronaut corps in Bldg 4S, Glenn shakes Robert Cabana's hand (11162). John Glenn and John Young pose for a group shot with Bldg 17 Food lab personnel (11163). Glenn thanks the food lab personnel (11164). Glenn visits Bldg 5 Fixed Base (FB) middeck simulator with astronauts Terrence Henricks and Mary Ellen Weber (11165). Glenn with Charles T. Bourland (11166). STS-70 crew Donald Thomas, Terrence Henricks, Mary Ellen Weber, Nancy Currie and Kevin Kregel with Glenn's advisor (11167). STS-70 crew Thomas, Henricks, Weber, Currie and Kregel with John Glenn (11175). Glenn with Thomas, Kregel, Weber, Henricks and trainer (11176-7). David J. Homan assists Glenn's aide with virtual reality goggles (11168) and Glenn (11174). John Young in Bldg 9C equilibrium trainer (11169). Glenn with Carl Walz in flight deck mock-up of MDF in Bldg 9NE (11170, 11187). Young, Abbey, aides, Glenn and Walz examine helium balloon in MDF (11171-2). Chang-Diaz shows Glenn's tour group the plasma rocket (11173). Glenn's presentation to astronaut corps (11178-81, 11184-5). Glenn is presented with framed picture of Sonny Carter Training Facility (SCTF) (11182) and framed picture of space station (11183).