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Low Earth Orbit Environmental Effects on Space Tether MaterialsAtomic oxygen (AO) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation erode and embrittle most polymeric materials. This research was designed to test several different materials and coatings under consideration for their application to space tethers, for resistance to these effects. The samples were vacuum dehydrated, weighed and then exposed to various levels of AO or UV radiation at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. They were then re-weighed to determine mass loss due to atomic oxygen erosion, inspected for damage and tensile tested to determine strength loss. The experiments determined that the Photosil coating process, while affording some protection, damaged the tether materials worse than the AO exposure. TOR-LM also failed to fully protect the materials, especially from UV radiation. The POSS and nickel coatings did provide some protection to the tethers, which survived the entire test regime. M5 was tested, uncoated, and survived AO exposure, though its brittleness prevented any tensile testing.
Document ID
20050215563
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Finckernor, Miria M. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Gitlemeier, Keith A. (Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Hawk, Clark W. (Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Watts, Ed (Qualis Corp. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Funding Number(s)
OTHER: 159-89-10
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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