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Optical Analysis of Transparent Polymeric Material Exposed to Simulated Space EnvironmentTransparent polymeric materials are being designed and utilized as solar concentrating lenses for spacecraft power and propulsion systems. These polymeric lenses concentrate solar energy onto energy conversion devices such as solar cells and thermal energy systems. The conversion efficiency is directly related to the transmissivity of the polymeric lens. The Environmental Effects Group of the Marshall Space Flight Center's Materials, Processes, and Manufacturing Department exposed a variety of materials to a simulated space environment and evaluated them for an, change in optical transmission. These materials include Lexan(TM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET). several formulations of Tefzel(TM). and Teflon(TM), and silicone DC 93-500. Samples were exposed to a minimum of 1000 Equivalent Sun Hours (ESH) of near-UV radiation (250 - 400 nm wavelength). Data will be presented on materials exposed to charged particle radiation equivalent to a five-year dose in geosynchronous orbit. These exposures were performed in MSFC's Combined Environmental Effects Test Chamber, a unique facility with the capability to expose materials simultaneously or sequentially to protons, low-energy electrons, high-energy electrons, near UV radiation and vacuum UV radiation.Prolonged exposure to the space environment will decrease the polymer film's transmission and thus reduce the conversion efficiency. A method was developed to normalize the transmission loss and thus rank the materials according to their tolerance to space environmental exposure. Spectral results and the material ranking according to transmission loss are presented.
Document ID
20000039348
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Edwards, David L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Finckenor, Miria M.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
December 17, 1999
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Meeting Information
Meeting: Photonics for Space Environments Conference
Location: San Diego, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: July 31, 2000
End Date: August 4, 2000
Sponsors: International Society for Optical Engineering
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 242-83-00
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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