The Infrared Spectral Signature of Water Ice in the Vacuum Cryogenic AI&T Environment
Abstract
In a thermal vacuum testing of spacecraft sensors, water ice can condense on optical surfaces. The most common source of water vapor is out-gassing from multilayer insulation(MLI). In the infrared, such ice films can significantly absorb radiation leading to lower performance of the sensor system. If chamber ice is heated, it normally sublimes (vaporizes directly from the solid state) at a temperature of around 150K. In an earlier paper aimed at the assembly, integration and test (AI&T) environment, we outlined the behavior of ice using "warm ice," i.e., ice not far below its melting temperature. In this report, we extend our previous report to include cryogenic ice deposits by presenting low-temperature ice transmission spectra in the 2-14 micrometers region as a function of thickness and temperature.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA443824
Entities
People
- D. K. Lynch
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation