Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Stevenson, D. R..
Investigation was made to optimize selection of insulation materials for reusable space vehicles which will be repeatedly operated over periods of up to ten years. Results of study are summarized in two reports. Volume I describes tests and significant findings. In Volume II, extensive test data obtained are organized in handbook form.
Twenty candidate multilayer insulation and insulation related materials were subjected to eight conditions that represent possible operational environments. These exposures include ground contaminants, various operational temperatures, space vacuum, space-vented propellants, and tank leakage. The objective of this program was to obtain and evaluate the data from these exposures to provide both a quantitative and qualitative description of the degradation to certain physical and thermal properties, and from this, to obtain a better understanding of the environmental effects on the insulation performance.
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