Property changes in materials due to atomic oxygen in the low Earth orbit

Abstract We expect satellites at altitude below 300 km, very low Earth orbit (VLEO), making observations of the optical wavelength with increasingly higher resolution. The density atomic oxygen (AO) VLEO is significantly than that LEO; severe degradation spacecraft materials (polymers) due to high-flux AO a serious concern. To clarify environmental effects on materials, we designed Material Degradation Monitor (MDM) and MDM2 missions. MDM material exposure experiment onboard Super Low-Altitude Test Satellite (SLATS). It aims understand reactions polymeric depending fluence in VLEO. In MDM, samples were exposed 160–560 km; their behaviors observed optically by CCD camera for 1.8 years. International Space Station (ISS) correctly surface same used given fluence. MDM2, 400 km 1 year then returned analysis. Based results from both missions, will help molecular design more-durable establish standards future satellites. This study quantitatively 11 types thermal control ISS MDM2. Five multilayer insulation (MLI) films (three Si-containing protective (a silsesquioxane-( SQ -) containing coated polyimide film, two polysiloxane-block (BSF-30) films), an ITO-coated Beta Cloth), flexible solar reflectors (flexible OSRs) found have high durability against erosion AO. was determined measuring loss mass thermo-optical properties. Ag/Inconel layer’s discoloration peeling three FEP/Ag as Ag oxidation Also, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed -coated film BSF-30 form layer silica protects Even though concentration Si -coating or greater amount reacted larger under Moreover, effective ability UV-shielding coating, composed ITO CeO 2 onto one films, demonstrated UV–Vis spectrometry. Its sufficient protection confirmed measurements, XPS analyses, FE-SEM observations.