NASA NTRS · 19760050678
Molecular shield - An orbiting low-density materials laboratory
Abstract
Analysis of a molecular shield orbited at 200 km utilizes the kinetic theory of a drifting Maxwellian gas, applied to a hemispherical shell geometry containing internal sources. The molecular shield provides very low gas density conditions for materials experiments at low gravity, while the hemispherical geometry minimizes the internal surface/volume ratio. Deployment of the shield in orbit is described. Contributions to density by shield outgassing, by experiment outgassing, and by interaction with the orbiter are discussed separately. A jettisonable closure plate sealing the hemisphere minimizes any risk of experiment contamination during deployment.
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Melfi, L. T., Jr., Outlaw, R. A., Hueser, J. E., Brock, F. J.. 1976-06-01. Molecular shield - An orbiting low-density materials laboratory. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19760050678
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