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Degradation of Hubble Space Telescope Metallized Teflon(trademark) FEP Thermal Control MaterialsThe mechanical and optical properties of the metallized Teflon Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) thermal control materials on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) have degraded over the seven years the telescope has been in orbit. Astronaut observations and photographic documentation from the Second Servicing Mission revealed severe cracks of the multi-layer insulation (MLI) blanket outer layer in many locations around the telescope, particularly on solar facing surfaces. Two samples, the outer Teflon FEP MLI layer and radiator surfaces, were characterized post- mission through exhaustive mechanical, thermal, chemical, and optical testing. The observed damage to the thermal control materials, the sample retrieval and handling, and the significant changes to the radiator surfaces of HST will be discussed. Each of these issues is addressed with respect to current and future mission requirements.
Document ID
19980237247
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hansen, Patricia A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Townsend, Jacqueline A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Yoshikawa, Yukio (Lockheed Martin Technical Operations, Inc. Greenbelt, MD United States)
Castro, J. David (Lockheed Martin Technical Operations, Inc. Greenbelt, MD United States)
Triolo, Jack J. (Swales Aerospace Beltsville, MD United States)
Peters, Wanda C. (Swales Aerospace Beltsville, MD United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1998
Subject Category
Astronomy
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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