Preliminary results Skylab experiment TO27 optical contamination in spaceCurrent results from the TO27 experiment which was performed on the first two Skylab missions are presented. The purpose of the experiment was to determine the change in optical properties of various transmissive windows, mirrors, and diffraction gratings caused by the deposition of contaminants found about the orbital assembly and to measure the sky brightness background caused by solar illumination of particulate contaminants. The sample array system containing 248 optical surfaces and exposed outside the orbital workshop did not collect any significant contaminants. Only trace amounts of surface deposited contaminants have been seen, in all cases the measurement was near the limiting sensitivity of the instrument. Unfortunate performance compromises and the relative cleanliness of the assembly on the anti-solar side appeared to place the amount of available surface contaminants near the limiting sensitivity of the sample array. Mass spectroscopy on the trace contaminants show the presence of high molecular weight species, up to 773 amu. The data suggests the presence of condensed aromatics.
Document ID
19750040106
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Muscari, J. A.
Jambor, B. J.
Westcott, P. A. (Martin Marietta Aerospace Denver, Colo., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1974
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Meeting Information
Meeting: Evaluation of the effect of the space environment on materials; International Conference