Configurable Hardware for Multidisciplinary Projects in Space - CHAMPS

CHAMPS is a modular microgravity research furnace developed for the National Research Council's Space Division.

It was flown in a Get-Away-Special (GAS) container aboard the space shuttle Endeavour STS-57 in June 1993, investigating GaAs crystal growth by liquid phase electroepitaxy (LPEE).

Combining the advantages of both dedicated and generic experimental facilities, CHAMPS allowed investigators to specify their own experimental configuration while at the same time providing them with generic peripherals.

Configurable hardware included thermal and gradient furnace, levitator, etc., while generic peripherals included control and data acquisition, thermal insulation, and ground support equipment.