The primary benefit of accurately quantifying and characterizing the space environmental effects on materials is longer instrument and spacecraft life. Knowledge of the limits of materials allows the designer to optimize the spacecraft design so that the required life is achieved. Materials such as radiator coatings that have excellent durability result in the design of smaller radiators than a radiator coated with a lower durability coating. This may reduce the weight of the spacecraft due to a more optimum design. Another benefit of characterizing materials is the quantification of outgassing properties. Spacecraft which have ultraviolet or visible sensor payloads are susceptible to contamination by outgassed volatile materials. Materials with known outgassing characteristics can be restricted in these spacecraft. Finally, good data on material characteristics improves the ability of analytical models to predict material performance. A flight experiment was conducted on the European Space Agency's European Retrievable Carrier (EuReCa) as part of the Timeband Capture Cell Experiment (TICCE). Our main objective was to gather additional data on the dust and debris environments, with the focus on understanding growth as a function of size (mass) for hypervelocity particles 1E-06 cm and larger. In addition to enumerating particle impacts, hypervelocity particles were to be captured and returned intact. Measurements were performed post-flight to determine the flux density, diameters, and subsequent effects on various optical, thermal control and structural materials. In addition to these principal measurements, the experiment also provided a structure and sample holders for the exposure of passive material samples to the space environment, e.g., the effects of thermal cycling, atomic oxygen, etc. Preliminary results are presented, including the techniques used for intact capture of particles.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Effect of the space environment on materials flown on the EURECA/TICCE-HVI experiment


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    1995-02-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    The effect of space environment on materials flown on Eureca

    Maag, C. R. et al. | British Library Online Contents | 1994


    Effect of the Space Environment on Materials Flown on the EURECA/TICCE-HVI Experiment

    Maag, C. R. / Tanner, W. G. / Stevenson, T. J. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995


    Thermomigration Experiment on Board EURECA

    Praizey, J.P. | Online Contents | 1995


    Thermomigration Experiment on Board EURECA

    Praizey, J. P. / Van Vaerenbergh, S. / Garandet, J. P. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995


    Status of the RITA Experiment on EURECA

    H. Bassner / H. Berg / C. Bartoli et al. | NTIS | 1988