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Erosion of carbon/carbon by solar wind charged particle radiation during a solar probe missionThe possible erosion of a carbon/carbon thermal shield by solar wind-charged particle radiation is reviewed. The present knowledge of erosion data for carbon and/or graphite is surveyed, and an explanation of erosion mechanisms under different charged particle environments is discussed. The highest erosion is expected at four solar radii. Erosion rates are analytically estimated under several conservative assumptions for a normal quiet and worst case solar wind storm conditions. Mass loss analyses and comparison studies surprisingly indicate that the predicted erosion rate by solar wind could be greater than by nominal free sublimation during solar wind storm conditions at four solar radii. The predicted overall mass loss of a carbon/carbon shield material during the critical four solar radii flyby can still meet the mass loss mission requirement of less than 0.0025 g/sec.
Document ID
19910047213
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sokolowski, Witold
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
O'Donnell, Tim
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Millard, Jerry
(JPL Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 91-0979
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference
Location: Baltimore, MD
Country: United States
Start Date: April 8, 1991
End Date: April 10, 1991
Accession Number
91A31836
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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