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Full-Text Articles in Physics
Properties Of Spacecraft Materials Exposed To Ionizing Radiation, Alex Souvall, Gregory Wilson, Katie Gamaunt, Ben Russon, Heather Tippets, Jr Dennison
Properties Of Spacecraft Materials Exposed To Ionizing Radiation, Alex Souvall, Gregory Wilson, Katie Gamaunt, Ben Russon, Heather Tippets, Jr Dennison
Katie Gamaunt
The effects of ionizing radiation damage on the various properties of spacecraft materials resulting from exposure in the Space Survivability Testing chamber (SST) are being studied with both ex situ and in situ tests. The SST is a ground based test facility designed to mimic low earth orbit (LEO), and geosynchronous orbit to test potential environmental-induced modifications to small satellites , and materials. Tests described here expose spacecraft materials to a Sr90 ionizing beta radiation source at room temperature and in high vacuum. Ex situ optical transmission/reflectivity measurements glass samples will monitor optical darkening. Properties of polymeric samples will …
The Space Survivability Test Chamber, Katie Gamaunt, Heather Tippets, Alex Souvall, Ben Russon, Jr Dennison
The Space Survivability Test Chamber, Katie Gamaunt, Heather Tippets, Alex Souvall, Ben Russon, Jr Dennison
Katie Gamaunt
The Space Survivability Test chamber is a new ground-based research instrument being used for accelerated testing of environment-induced modifications of diverse samples. The chamber simulates space environment conditions, including neutral gas atmospheres and vacuum (<10-5 Pa) environments, temperature (~100 K to >450 K), ionizing radiation, electron fluxes (<10 eV to ~2½ MeV), and vacuum ultraviolet through mid-infrared photon fluxes. This versatile test chamber is well-suited for cost-effective testing of complete systems up to the size (< 20 cm dia.) of a 1U CubeSat, smaller components or electronics, and individual material samples. Multiple in-flux or in-situ space survivability and radiation exposure tests can be performed simultaneously, …
Measurement Of Effects Of Long Term Ionizing Radiation On High Efficiency Solar Arrays, Ben Russon, Heather Tippets, Gregory Wilson, Katie Gamaunt, Alex Souvall, Jr Dennison
Measurement Of Effects Of Long Term Ionizing Radiation On High Efficiency Solar Arrays, Ben Russon, Heather Tippets, Gregory Wilson, Katie Gamaunt, Alex Souvall, Jr Dennison
Katie Gamaunt
Degradation of power output efficiency for high-efficiency multilayer solar arrays due to ionizing radiation is measured using the Space Survivability Test chamber. Exposure to ionizing radiation disrupts the crystalline structure and can reduce solar array power output to the point that it no longer provides adequate output capacity. This can be a significant concern, particularly in the harsh environment of space where radiation dose rate is significantly higher and replacing components is often impossible. Ionizing radiation is simulated in a controlled environment to allow measurement and characterization of the power output of solar arrays, using a 100 mCi encapsulated Sr90 …
Uv Degradation Effects: Terrestrial Versus Space Environment, Katie Gamaunt, Krysta Moser, Alex Souvall, Jr Dennison
Uv Degradation Effects: Terrestrial Versus Space Environment, Katie Gamaunt, Krysta Moser, Alex Souvall, Jr Dennison
Katie Gamaunt
The decrease in visible and ultraviolet transmission spectra of polymeric and glass spacecraft materials has been measured to determine the extent of degradation due to high energy UV radiation similar to the solar spectrum (both above and below the stratosphere). This project looked at the effects that the atmosphere has in regards to blocking UV radiation and thus, slowing down the UV degradation process. Materials such as quartz, borosilicate glass, sodium glasses, polyethylene, polyimide, and polyethylene terephthalate polymers were exposed to radiation from a focused high intensity deuterium lamp source, which generates radiation in the UVA and UVB spectrum. Duplicates …