Environments stressful to optical materials in low earth orbit

Spacecraft in low earth orbit experience a variety of environments which are potentially damaging to materials and to optical systems including electronic controls and components. The low earth orbit (typically 400 km) has a significantly different set of environments than higher orbits. The environments vary not only with altitude but also with inclination. This paper deals with the environment that the Space Station Freedom will experience and with some of the effects on the materials and electronic components that will comprise the optical systems on the station. Specific optical systems are not addressed but the information presented is general and does apply to optical systems.