Changes in Optical Properties of Spacecraft Materials Due to Combined Effects of Aging Factors in a Space Environment
Abstract
This project conducted experimental investigations on the degradation of the optical properties of materials used on the external surfaces of spacecraft in conditions of the space environment. What started as an International Science and Technology project titled "Development of a Database on the Changes in the Optical Properties of Materials Used on the External Surfaces of Spacecraft under the Action of the Space Environment Factors," this project continued for five years to investigate and formulate a comprehensive database of spacecraft material aging properties. The following has been achieved during the course of this effort: 1) Tests were conducted on the Sheldahl films, MAP paints and the Russian materials EKOM-4 and the arimide fabric TTKA-S 56420 under the separate action of protons with the energies 50, 150 and 500 keV, electrons with the energies 50, 100 and 200 keV and UV radiation; 2) Tests were conducted in simulating the combined effects of space environment factors, such as electromagnetic solar radiation (visible, ultraviolet, vacuum ultraviolet and soft X-rays) and charged particles (electrons and protons), at GEO altitudes (conducted on the Russian materials, Sheldahl films, and MAP paints); 3) Laboratory tests were performed in simulating the combined effects of space environment factors, such as atomic oxygen, electromagnetic solar radiation (visible, ultraviolet, vacuum ultraviolet and soft X-ray radiation) at an altitude of 400 km; 4) Bidirectional scattering distribution function (BSDF) and Bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) measurements were conducted for the wavelengths 532 and 1063 nm; and 5) Measurements were conducted on the Directed Hemispherical Reflectance (DHR) in the range 2.5-10 microns. The results of the experimental studies from the complex impact of the space environment factors on the optical properties of spacecraft materials have been entered into a materials database in both digital and graphical forms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA591017
Entities
People
- Oleg V. Nagornov
- Sergei A. Khatipov
Organizations
- National Research Nuclear University