Photolysis of Spacecraft Contaminants
Abstract
Self-contamination of sensitive spacecraft surfaces has long been recognized as potentially limiting the performance, and even the useful life, of a spacecraft. It has become clear that photochemical reactions, induced by solar vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) illumination, play a substantial role in contaminant deposition. A series of laboratory measurements of the absolute rates of adsorption, desorption, and VUV-induced deposition of contaminants under simulated spacecraft conditions are described in this report. The rates measured are sufficient to explain anomalous radiator degradation on the Satellite Data Systems spacecraft radiator. The dependence of the deposition rate on substrate identity and temperature and on contaminant identity and flux is discussed, and a simple kinetic model that describes most experimental observations is presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA211715
Entities
People
- David F. Hall
- Graham S. Arnold
- H. D. Marten
- Thomas B. Stewart
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation