Engineering topics

Kamenetzky, Rachel R.

Publications and source records attributed to Kamenetzky, Rachel R..

25 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1993

Fluorescence observations of LDEF exposed materials as an indicator of induced material reactions

Observations and measurements of induced changes in the fluorescent emission of materials exposed to the space environment on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) have revealed systematic patterns of material-dependent behavior. These results have been supplemented by inspection of similar materials exposed on previous Space Shuttle Missions and in laboratory testing. The space environmental factors affecting the fluorescence of exposed materials have been found to include (but are not necessarily limited to) solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, atomic oxygen (AO), thermal vacuum exposure, and synergistic combinations of these factors. Observed changes in material fluorescent behavior include stimulation, quenching, and spectral band shifts of emission. For example, the intrinsic yellow fluorescence of zinc oxide pigmented thermal control coatings undergoes quenching as a result of exposure, while coloration is stimulated in the fluorescent emission of several polyurethane coating materials. The changes in fluorescent behavior of these materials are shown to be a revealing indicator of induced material reactions as a result of space environmental exposure.

Linton, Roger C.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Atomic oxygen effects on LDEF experiment AO171

The Solar Array Materials Passive Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) Experiment (SAMPLE), AO171, contained in total approximately 100 materials and materials processes with a 300 specimen complement. With the exception of experiment solar cell and solar cell modules, all test specimens were weighed before flight, thus allowing an accurate determination of mass loss as a result of space exposure. Since almost all of the test specimens were thermal vacuum baked before flight, the mass loss sustained can be attributed principally to atomic oxygen attack. The atomic oxygen effects observed and measured in five classes of materials is documented. The atomic oxygen reactivity values generated for these materials are compared to those values derived for the same materials from exposures on short term shuttle flights. An assessment of the utility of predicting long term atomic oxygen effects from short term exposures is given. This experiment was located on Row 8 position A which allowed all experiment materials to be exposed to an atomic oxygen fluence of 6.93 x 10(exp 21) atoms/cm(sup 2) as a result of being positioned 38 degrees off the RAM direction.

Whitaker, Ann F.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Second LDEF Post-Retrieval Symposium interim results of experiment A0034

Thermal control coatings and contaminant collector mirrors were exposed on the leading and trailing edge modules of Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) experiment A0034 to provide a basis of comparison for investigating the role of atomic oxygen in the stimulation of volatile outgassing products. The exposure of identical thermal coatings on both the leading and trailing edges of the LDEF and the additional modified exposure of identical coatings under glass windows and metallic covers in each of the flight modules provided multiple combinations of space environmental exposure to the coatings and the contaminant collector mirrors. Investigations were made to evaluate the effects of the natural space and the induced environments on the thermal coatings and the collector mirrors to differentiate the sources of observed material degradation. Two identical flight units were fabricated for the LDEF mission, each of which included twenty-five thermal control coatings mounted in isolated compartments, each with an adjacent contaminant collector mirror mounted on the wall. The covers of the flight units included apertures for each compartment, exposing the thermal coatings directly to the space environment. Six of these compartments were sealed with ultraviolet-grade transmitting quartz windows and four other compartments were sealed with aluminum covers. One module of this passive LDEF experiment, occupying one-sixth of a full tray, was mounted in Tray C9 (leading edge), while the other identical module was mounted in Tray C3 (trailing edge).

Linton, Roger C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Performance of thermal control tape in the protection of composite materials

The selection of materials for construction of long duration mission spacecraft has presented many challenges to the aerospace design community. After nearly six years in low earth orbit, NASA's Long duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), retrieved in January of 1990, has provided valuable information on both the nature of the space environment as well as the effects of the space environment on potential spacecraft materials. Composites, long a favorite of the design community because of a high strength-to-weight ratio, were flown in various configurations on LDEF in order to evaluate the effects of radiation, atomic oxygen, vacuum, micrometeoroid debris, and thermal variation on their performance. Fiberglass composite samples covered with an aluminum thermal control tape were flown as part of the flight experiment A0171, the Solar Array Materials Passive LDEF Experiment (SAMPLE). Visual observations and test results indicate that the thermal control tape suffered little degradation from the space exposure and proved to be a reliable source of protection from atomic oxygen erosion and UV radiation for the underlying composite material.

Kamenetzky, Rachel R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Atomic oxygen effects on LDEF experiment A0171

Mass and thickness changes measured in thin films, composites, polymers, metals, and paints from LDEF Experiment A0171 are presented. Atomic oxygen accommodation and reactivity numbers along with morphology features are shown for a variety of A0171 materials. The validity of predicting long term erosion rates will be assessed from short term environmental exposures.

Whitaker, Ann F.↗

NASA NTRS1992

LDEF experiment A0034: Atomic oxygen stimulated outgassing

The passive Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) Experiment A0034, 'Atomic Oxygen Stimulated Outgassing', consisted of two identical one-sixth tray modules, exposing selected thermal control coatings to atomic oxygen and the combined space environment on the leading edge, and for reference, to the relative 'wake' environment of the trailing edge. Optical mirrors were included adjacent to the thermal coatings for deposition of the outgassing products. Ultraviolet grade windows and metal covers were provided for additional assessment of the effects of various environmental factors. Preliminary results indicate that orbital atomic oxygen is both a degrading and optically restorative factor in the thermo-optical properties of selected thermal coatings. There is evidence of more severe optical degradation on collector mirrors adjacent to coatings that were exposed to RAM-impinging atomic oxygen. This evidence of atomic oxygen stimulated outgassing is discussed in relation to alternative factors that could affect degradation. The general effects of the space environment on the experiment hardware as well as the specimens are discussed.

Linton, Roger C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Property changes induced by the space environment in polymeric materials on LDEF

Property changes that occurred in four groups of polymer-based materials in the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) due to exposure to the outer space environment for 5.8 yrs are examined. Evaluations of contamination and mass loss are presented along with optical, thermal, and electrical analyses and mechanical property evaluations for TFE Teflon, the fluorinated material Halar, the silicone-based material RTV 511, and PEEK resin.

Whitaker, Ann F.↗