Space debris generation in GEO: Space materials testing and evaluation

The aim of this work is to evaluate what happens to the spacecraft materials beyond the spacecraft End of Life. A review of spacecraft external materials and effects of space environment is presented. This paper results from a continued study on spacecraft material degradation, and space debris form...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta astronautica 2022-03, Vol.192, p.258-275
Main Authors: Duzellier, S., Gordo, P., Melicio, R., Valério, D., Millinger, M., Amorim, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerospace environments
Delamination
Detritus
End of life
Engineering Sciences
Environmental degradation
Extraterrestrial radiation
Fixation
Geostationary orbit
Geostationary transfer orbit
Geosynchronous orbits
Irradiation
Materials testing
Optical properties
Physics
Radiation
Space debris
Space environment
Space materials
Spacecraft
Spacecraft construction materials
Spacecraft contamination
Spacecrafts
Thermal cycling
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The aim of this work is to evaluate what happens to the spacecraft materials beyond the spacecraft End of Life. A review of spacecraft external materials and effects of space environment is presented. This paper results from a continued study on spacecraft material degradation, and space debris formation in geostationary orbit (GEO). In this paper a 20-year GEO dose profile that combines simultaneous UV, particles irradiation and thermal cycling was applied to a set of external spacecraft materials. These materials comprised MLI assemblies, Velcros fixation and spacecraft painting. The evaluation of these external spacecraft materials, exposed to simulated space environment have confirmed the criticality of degradation of MLI, Velcros fixation and painting, with delamination mechanisms and particulate contamination. The synergy of space radiation (particles, UV) and thermal cycling ages the material and induces mechanical stress, causing creation of brittle surfaces, cracks and delamination. These phenomena cause serious damage to exposed surfaces, changing the surfaces thermo-optical properties, and may induce the generation of space debris. In particular, experimental results show the delamination of internal MLI layers and the severe degradation of the Velcros. •Spacecraft material degradation, and space debris formation in GEO mission.•Multilayer insulation materials.•Testing for high dose profiles that simulate a 20 year GEO mission.
ISSN:0094-5765
1879-2030
DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.12.036