Effect of simultaneous N2 collisions on atomic oxygen-induced polyimide erosion in sub-low Earth orbit: comparison of laboratory and SLATS data

Abstract The role of N 2 in the upper atmosphere on atomic oxygen (AO)-induced erosion polyimide low Earth orbit (LEO) and sub-LEO is investigated through ground-based experiments flight data. experiment performed by adding an Ar beam at same collision energy as undecomposed O component AO formed laser detonation to simulate physical effect simultaneous sub-LEO. added dual-pulsed supersonic valve-equipped laser-detonation system developed Kobe University. experimental results indicate that promoted presence beam, corresponding On-ground are compared with in-orbit measurements. Previous space shuttle, international station-based exposure experiments, well world’s first real-time material data aboard a super altitude test satellite (SLATS) orbiting 216.8 km presented. SLATS suggests acceleration AO-induced erosion, predicted experiments.