Spacecraft thermal control coatings (AO 138-6)

Abstract

The experiment A0 138-6 was located on the trailing edge of LDEF as part of the Experiment FRECOPA. Material specimens 2 x 2 cm, independently mounted in sample-holders with their surface in the same reference plane, were exposed to space. Materials include paints (conductive or not), SSMs, polymeric films, surface coatings, composite materials, and metals. The results show that for some materials the degradation was higher for samples in the canister than for those directly mounted on the tray; contamination problems were ruled out, the higher temperature experienced by the samples inside the canister probably explains this phenomenon.