Protection of solar array blankets from attack by low earth orbital atomic oxygenThe ram impact of low earth orbital atomic oxygen causes oxidation of spacecraft materials including polymers such as polyimides. The rate of oxidation is sufficiently high to potentially compromise the long term durability of Kapton solar array blankets. Ion beam sputter deposited atomic oxygen protective coatings of aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, and codeposited silicon dioxide with small amounts of polytetrafluoroethylene were evaluated both in RF plasma asher tests and in low earth orbit. Deposition techniques, mechanical properties, and atomic oxygen protection performance are presented.
Document ID
19870032600
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Banks, Bruce A. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Mirtich, Michael J. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Rutledge, Sharon K. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Nahra, Henry K. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)