Thermal control coatings experiment (A0138-6)

Abstract

The objectives of this LDEF experiment are to verify the validity of space environment simulation performed in the laboratory in order to measure the stability of the thermo-optical properties of thermal control coatings, and to compare the behavior in space of some materials for which the available ultraviolet solar simulation is inadequate (especially in the far ultraviolet). The experimental approach is to passively expose samples of the thermal coatings of interest. These coatings include black paint, aluminum paint, white paint, a solar absorber, an optical surface reflector, second surface mirrors, metal coatings, and silica fabrics. Preflight and postflight measurements of thermo-optical properties will be compared to determine the effects of space environment exposure.