Skylab DO24 Thermal Control Coatings and Polymeric Films Experiment.
Abstract
Preliminary results of an experiment designed to determine the effects of the external Skylab space environment on the performance and properties of a wide variety of selected thermal control coatings and polymeric films are presented. Three duplicate sets of thermal control coatings and polymeric films were exposed to the Skylab space environment for varying periods of time during the mission. The specimens were retrieved by the Astronauts, placed in hermetically sealed return containers during EVA, recovered, and returned to the Air Force Materials Laboratory for analysis and evaluation. Post flight analysis of the three sets of recovered thermal control coatings indicated that measured changes in specimen thermooptical properties are due to a combination of excessive contamination and solar degradation of the contaminant layer. The degree of degradation experienced overrides, obscures and compromises the measurement of the degradation of the substrate coatings themselves. Preliminary experimental results on the analysis of the contamination are also presented. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA046208
Entities
People
- Charles J. Hurley
- William L. Lehn
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory