An Analysis of the Laboratory and Environmental Impacts of Space Weathering on Novel Materials in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

The Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) project is a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiative that was launched in 2001 with the aim of studying the effects of the low Earth orbit (LEO) space environment on a variety of materials. Since its inception, the MISSE project has tested approximately 4,000 different material samples and specimens, evaluating their durability and performance in the harsh and challenging conditions of space. This paper provides an overview of the 16th MISSE project performed by the versatile team of researchers led by the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) from 08/31/22 to 02/23/23. Details of the orbital environment during the mission, MISSE platform hardware upgrade, and space data acquisition process are discussed.