"Degradation of Thin Films: Comparison Between Low Earth Orbit Experiments and Laboratory Simulations of the Space Environment" by John A. Woollam

Article

Degradation of Thin Films: Comparison Between Low Earth Orbit Experiments and Laboratory Simulations of the Space Environment

Thin Solid Films

John A. Woollam, University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
R. A. Synowicki, University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
Jeffrey S. Hale, University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
N. J. Ianno, University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
Blaine L. Spady, University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
Arthur W. Moore, Union Carbide Corporation
Paul D. Hambourger, Cleveland State University

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Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-1994

Disciplines

Physics

Abstract

The low Earth orbit (LEO) environment exposes spacecraft materials to atomic oxygen, UV light, meteroid impact and thermal cycling. The purpose of this paper is to report on progress towards evaluating damage done to candidate space materials, and ways to protect materials on future long-term space missions in LEO. Specifically, we prepared and characterized sets of samples for flights on the US Space Shuttle missions STS-46 and STS-51, and evaluated samples returned from STS-46. In addition, laboratory simulations of the LEO environment are shown to present interesting problems and challenges.

DOI

10.1016/0040-6090(94)90429-4

Citation Information

Woollam, J.A., et al. 1994. Degradation of thin films: comparison between low Earth orbit experiments and laboratory simulations of the space environment. Thin Solid Films 241, no. 1-2:218-221.