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

Authors

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 UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-1994

Publication Title

Thin Solid Films

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.

Repository Citation

Woollam, John A.; Synowicki, R. A.; Hale, Jeffrey S.; Ianno, N. J.; Spady, Blaine L.; Moore, Arthur W.; and Hambourger, Paul D., "Degradation of Thin Films: Comparison Between Low Earth Orbit Experiments and Laboratory Simulations of the Space Environment" (1994). Physics Faculty Publications. 170.
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/sciphysics_facpub/170

Original Citation

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.

DOI

10.1016/0040-6090(94)90429-4

Volume

241

Issue

1-2