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Long-duration orbital effects on optical coating materials
Applied Optics
|September 8, 2010
Summary
Optical coatings for space instruments degraded significantly in low Earth orbit due to atomic oxygen exposure. This study highlights the need for careful material selection in future space-flight instrumentation design.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Aerospace Engineering
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Space-based optical instruments require durable coatings.
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) presents harsh environmental conditions, including atomic oxygen.
- Previous research has not fully characterized the long-term effects of LEO on various optical coatings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the durability of eight different optical coating materials exposed to the LEO environment.
- To quantify reflectance degradation in coatings used for space optics.
- To inform the design of future space-flight instrumentation.
Main Methods:
- Specimens of Al, Au, Ir, Os, Pt, Al + MgF(2), Al + SiO(x), and CVD SiC were flown on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF).
- Materials were exposed to residual atomic oxygen and other LEO environmental factors.
- Reflectance properties were measured post-exposure.
Main Results:
- Most tested optical coating materials exhibited significant reflectance degradation.
- Degradation varied among the different material compositions.
- Atomic oxygen and other space environmental factors negatively impacted coating performance.
Conclusions:
- The observed degradation necessitates careful consideration of optical coating material selection for LEO applications.
- Future space optical instrument designs must account for the performance limitations of coatings in the LEO environment.
- Further research into more resilient coating materials is recommended.
