A fundamental feature of MSL is its capability for on-orbit exchange of furnace inserts. In this way, the facility supports various materials processing techniques, with different thermal profiles. This also allows researchers the possibility to design new furnace inserts as scientific requirements evolve.
These are schematic examples of temperature profiles that can be implemented in MSL:
MSL is also reconfigurable for Experiment Cartridge instrumentation, and can accept experiment-dedicated diagnostics.
Experiments in MSL can only be performed subject to certain restrictions imposed by the manned-space environment, the ISS operations, and the facility itself. These are described in the section Scientific Utilisation of MSL.