The solar absorption of several fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) samples that were retrieved from two Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Missions (SMs), was measured to assess the effect of the space environment on the optical properties of the material. The solar absorptance of the silver/FEP on the Cryo Vent Cover retrieved from the HST Second Servicing Mission (HST SM2) was significantly higher than that of the same type of FEP from the First Servicing Mission (HST SM1), the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) Mission and the Solar Max Mission. Crazing of the silver coating and darkening of the adhesive beneath the coating are the major causes of the absorption increase. The aluminum coating on the aluminum/FEP samples retrieved from the HST SM1 and SM2 was found to be crazed add delaminated. The Al/FEP samples from both SM1 and SM2 showed an increase in solar absorptance compared to pristine samples but there was large scatter in the measurements due to non-uniform crazing and delamination of the aluminum coating. The crazing of the aluminum coating and the degradation of the FEP are responsible for the solar absorptance increase. The solar absorption of the FEP itself (Al coating removed) increased for both SM1 and SM2 samples.
Solar absorption of the FEP samples returned from the HST Servicing Missions
1998
9 Seiten, 5 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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