Space environment effects on spacecraft materials (M0003)

The immediate objectives of this experiment are to understand changes in the properties and structure of materials after exposure to the space environment and to compare these changes with predictions based on laboratory experiments. The experiment consists of 19 subexperiments involving a number of DOD laboratories and contractor organizations. In general, the experimental approach with each of the subexperiments will involve comparison of preflight and postflight analyses. Typical analyses will include the measurement of optical properties (reflectance, transmittance, and refractive index), and macrophysical properties. In addition to measuring changes in the macroscopic properties of the returned specimens, microstructural properties will also be examined. Thus, it may be possible to increase our understanding of the changes induced by the environment. This increased understanding can then be used to predict the performance of materials based on knowledge of the space environment and the results of laboratory tests. This experiment will be a coopperative effort and will provide an opportunity for DOD space programs and laboratories to evaluate materials and components after long exposures to the space environment.