The Production of Contamination on Spacecraft Surfaces by Hypervelocity Debris Impacts
Abstract
A study of the mechanical damage and the contamination produced by hypervelocity debris impacts on spacecraft was conducted in a space chamber capable of accelerating debris simulating particles to 7.5 km/sec and other components of the Low Earth Orbit environment. Damage characteristics and the nature and extent of contamination generated by the impact of 3mm diameter, 3 micron thick aluminum particles, accelerated to 4.5 km/s, were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy optical microscopy, and spectrophotometry were used to measure the mechanical damage and the loss of transmission through solar photovoltaic cover glass materials.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADP010821
Entities
People
- Charles Stein
- Pawel Tlomak
- Robert Roybal
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory