Degradation of Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) Retrieved from the Hubble Space Telescope

Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) returned during Servicing Mission 4 are still being analyzed. Analysis has revealed degradation of optical, thermal, and mechanical properties, increased crystallinity, and reduction in fluorine/carbon ratio of aluminized-Teflon fluorinated ethylene propylene (Al-FEP) FEP. These material properties can be affected by high temperatures on orbit, increased radiation exposure, and in some cases contamination from materials in close proximity to the insulation on orbit. Preliminary results support conclusions of previous studies: areas of Al-FEP that received higher levels of solar exposure show more degradation (high temperatures and radiation combined).