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Space-qualified Chalcogenide Materials through ISS MISSE Exposure —From Property to Application

In March 2021, twenty-four samples of various phase change materials (PCMs - Ge2Sb2Te5, Ge2Sb2Se4Te1, and Sb2Se3) along with metasurface optical components comprised of these PCMs, were delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-14) test campaign [1]. Although PCMs have previously been noted for their resilience to various forms of radiation [2], they had not been tested in a realistic space environment until this exposure campaign with joint NASA and MIT collaboration. During the six-month total open exposure time in low earth orbit (LEO), high-resolution cameras scanned and captured photographs of the samples to detect changes as a function of time along with on-orbit measured temperature, UV radiation, total atomic oxygen fluence, and total ionizing radiation doses. The samples were returned to NASA Langley Research Center in March 2022 for post-flight characterization. This duplicated the preflight characterization (i.e., material composition and crystallinity that limits switching speed, index contrast, loss, etc.) conducted before launch. The space sector has witnessed tremendous growth within the past decade—not only from government agencies but also entrants from the private sector. Future growth in the capabilities of Earth observation, deep space, and planetary surface missions using miniaturized spacecraft platforms can only be sustained by innovations in the design of remote sensors and other sub-systems. Active metasurface optics with enhanced tunability and reconfigurability continues to redefine the boundaries of optical science [3]. The introduction of PCM technology and associated optical devices will help to accelerate the adoption of new architectures for reduced size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) platforms in space.Here we introduce results obtained from the MISSE-14 mission related to space qualification of PCM-based optic devices and constituent materials. We then discuss our recent work developing active integrated photonic devices and metasurface optics based on PCMs for space applications. This includes tunable and reconfigurable optical metasurface devices to support NASA space communication and LIDAR applications. PCMs are quickly becoming interesting photonics materials but questions related to mission suitability remain, particularly in regard to key properties like figures-of-merit (FOM, Δn/Δk), glass forming temperatures, and phase transition speeds. This talk will describe efforts to afford researchers the ability to have access to cost-effective data on exposure-induced changes to PCM fundamental physical and optical properties to assess their utility for space applications. The MISSE-14 sample exposure campaign allows a complete understanding of the limitations of the PCMs for various space-based electronic and optoelectronic applications.

Chalcogenide Phase change material

Automating MISSE Specimens Image Analysis

The Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) Project consists of experiments focused on the investigation of the effects that occur through the exposure of materials specimens in the space environment. To determine if there is a change in a specimen, the data obtained from the MISSE high-resolution photographic images can be monitored. For this, a compilation of folders was created to provide an organizational system. Each mission was divided into the specific direction in space, materials specimen, and date the image was taken. This organization helps to identify how a specimen behaves as a function of time in the space environment. Once the images were classified, a qualitative process was first used to detect an evolution in the materials of MISSE-9 - MISSE-14.

MISSE ISS Materials

MISSE 6, 7 and 8 Materials Sample Experiments from the International Space Station Materials and Processes Team

The International Space Station Materials and Processes (ISS M&P) team has multiple material samples on MISSE 6, 7 and 8 to observe Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environmental effects on Space Station materials. Optical properties, thickness/mass loss, surface elemental analysis, visual and microscopic analysis for surface change are some of the techniques employed in this investigation. The ISS M&P team has participated in previous MISSE activities in order to better characterize the LEO effects on Space Station materials. This investigation will further this effort. Results for the following MISSE 6 samples materials will be presented: a comparison of anodize and chemical conversion coatings on various aluminum alloys, electroless nickel; AZ93 white ceramic thermal control coating with and without Teflon; Hyzod(TM) polycarbonate used to temporarily protect ISS windows; Russian quartz window material; reformulated Teflon (TM) coated Beta Cloth (Teflon TM without perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)) and a Dutch version of beta cloth. Discussion for current and future MISSE materials experiments will be presented. MISSE 7 samples are: deionized water sealed anodized aluminum Photofoil(TM); indium tin oxide (ITO)- coated Kapton(TM) used as thermo-optical surfaces; mechanically scribed tin-plated beryllium-copper samples for "tin pest" growth ( alpha/Beta transformation); Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) parachute soft goods. MISSE 8 sample: exposed "scrim cloth" (fiberglass weave) from the ISS solar array wing material, Davlyn fiberglass sleeve material, Permacel and Intertape protective tapes, and ITO-coated Kapton.

Kravchenko, Michael

Results of International Space Station Vehicle Materials Exposed on MISSE-7B

Materials samples were exposed to the low Earth orbit (LEO) environment as part of the MISSE-7B flight experiment for 18 months. Optical properties, thickness/mass loss, surface elemental analysis, visual and microscopic analysis for surface change are some of the techniques employed in this investigation. Where possible, the MISSE-7B results are compared to analyses from other LEO experiments. ISS materials currently flying on MISSE-8 are also discussed.

Finckenor, Miria M.

Atomic Oxygen Impacts on Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE)-16 flight Samples

A variety of materials consisting of polyimides, polyethylene terephthalates (PETs), fiber reinforced polymers, and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) were on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE)-16. Samples on the side of the ISS pointing in the direction of the spacecraft’s motion (the ram direction) were observed for effects due to atomic oxygen (AO). The erosion yield of select materials from MISSE-16 is reported, as well as their variation in surface roughness due to AO erosion. Trade names and trademarks are used in this paper for identification only. Their usage does not constitute an official endorsement, either expressed or implied, by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Samuel A Westrick

MISSE-X: An ISS External Platform for Space Environmental Studies in the Post-Shuttle Era

Materials International Space Station Experiment-X (MISSE-X) is a proposed International Space Station (ISS) external platform for space environmental studies designed to advance the technology readiness of materials and devices critical for future space exploration. The MISSE-X platform will expand ISS utilization by providing experimenters with unprecedented low-cost space access and return on investment (ROI). As a follow-on to the highly successful MISSE series of ISS experiments, MISSE-X will provide advances over the original MISSE configurations including incorporation of plug-and-play experiments that will minimize return mass requirements in the post-Shuttle era, improved active sensing and monitoring of the ISS external environment for better characterization of environmental effects, and expansion of the MISSE-X user community through incorporation of new, customer-desired capabilities. MISSE-X will also foster interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in primary and secondary schools through student collaboration and participation.1,2

Thibeault, Sheila A.

THE MATERIALS ON INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION EXPERIMENT (MISSE): FIRST RESULTS FROM MSFC INVESTIGATIONS

Marshall Space Flight Center worked with the Air Force Research Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory, Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Johnson Space Center, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, TRW, the Aerospace Corporation, Triton Systems, AZ Technology, Alion (formerly IITRI), ENTECH, and L'Garde to bring together the first external materials exposure experiment on International Space Station (ISS). MISSE re-uses hardware from the MEEP flown on the Russian space station Mir. MISSE has returned a treasure trove of materials data that will be useful not only for ISS but also for programs as diverse as the new Crew Exploration Vehicle, the James Webb Telescope, the Lunar Surface Access Module, the Robotic Lunar Exploration Program, High Altitude Airships, and solar sails. MISSE-1 and -2 (Figure 1) were attached to the Quest airlock on ISS for 4 years and were retrieved during STS-114. MISSE-3 and -4 were bumped fr-om STS-114 and are currently slated for deployment during STS-121. MISSE-5 (Figure 2) was deployed during STS-114.

Finckenor, Miria

Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) 5 Developed to Test Advanced Solar Cell Technology Aboard the ISS

The testing of new technologies aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is facilitated through the use of a passive experiment container, or PEC, developed at the NASA Langley Research Center. The PEC is an aluminum suitcase approximately 2 ft square and 5 in. thick. Inside the PEC are mounted Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) plates that contain the test articles. The PEC is carried to the ISS aboard the space shuttle or a Russian resupply vehicle, where astronauts attach it to a handrail on the outer surface of the ISS and deploy the PEC, which is to say the suitcase is opened 180 deg. Typically, the PEC is left in this position for approximately 1 year, at which point astronauts close the PEC and it is returned to Earth. In the past, the PECs have contained passive experiments, principally designed to characterize the durability of materials subjected to the ultraviolet radiation and atomic oxygen present at the ISS orbit. The MISSE5 experiment is intended to characterize state-of-art (SOA) and beyond photovoltaic technologies.

Wilt, David M.

Space Environmental Effects on Additively Manufactured (AM) Parts on MISSE-9/10

The Materials on International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) experiments have made a continuous presence on the ISS and allowed for testing of performance and durability of materials exposed to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space environment. Additive Manufacturing (AM) has been included on several MISSE flights, and many companies (Made in Space and Stratasys) and NASA centers wanted to test various AM material samples. The goal of studying Space Environmental Effects on AM Parts with MISSE 9/10 was to fly promising metal and polymer AM material samples (dogbones) that could have future manufacturing capabilities in space and conduct post-flight analysis of these materials via mechanical and optical properties. On these flights, MISSE-9 contained three Inconel and 12 polymer samples and MISSE-10 included three Inconel and 16 polymer samples. Before flying to the ISS, all the samples underwent thermal vacuum bakeout (at 60°C for 24 hours and 10-6 torr). After bakeout, control and flight experiments were weighed, and optical properties were taken. Optical properties such as solar absorptance and infrared emittance were taken on the control samples and the flight samples (preflight and postflight). To understand more about the mechanical properties of the AM samples, tensile testing was conducted on the samples to determine the yield and ultimate tensile strength of the dogbone samples against the control. Lastly, the torque on the fasteners securing the dogbone samples were loosened and measured using a torque wrench, and they were compared to their preflight torque specification required. Optical properties and masses were recorded before flight, and the postflight results were recorded and collected in June 2022 to study the effects. With the postflight analysis, NASA engineers can now better characterize how UV radiation and thermal cycling affect the material properties.

Materials on International Space Station Experimen

Erosion Results of the MISSE 9-15 Polymers and Composites Experiment 1-4 (PCE 1-4)

Polymers and other oxidizable materials on the exterior of spacecraft in the low Earth orbit (LEO) space environment can be eroded from reaction with atomic oxygen (AO). Therefore, in order to design durable spacecraft it is important to know the extent of erosion that will occur during a mission. This can be determined by knowing the LEO AO erosion yield, E y (volume loss per incident oxygen atom), of materials susceptible to AO reaction. In addition, recent flight experiments have shown that the AO E y can vary with the AO fluence and/or solar exposure. Therefore, obtaining AO E y data for materials flown on various spaceflight missions is important. NASA Glenn Research Center has flown numerous experiments as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) missions on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS) to characterize the LEO E y of polymers, composites, protective coatings, and other spacecraft materials. Recently, four Glenn experiments with 365 flight (F) samples were flown on ISS’s MISSE-Flight Facility (MISSE-FF). These experiments are the Polymers and Composites Experiment-1 (PCE-1) flown as part of the MISSE-9 mission, the PCE-2 flown as part of the MISSE-10 mission, the PCE-3 flown as part of the MISSE-12 and MISSE-15 missions, and the PCE-4 flown as part of the MISSE-13 mission. Although each experiment had numerous sample objectives, the primary objective was to determine the LEO AO E y of various spacecraft materials as a function of solar irradiation and AO fluence. This paper provides a summary of the erosion data for the PCE 1-4 AO E y samples. The AO E y for 150 samples flown in either the LEO ram, wake, zenith or nadir directions are provided. The AO ram fluence varied from 2.97×10 20 atoms/cm 2 after 0.89 years of direct space exposure (with relatively high levels of Si contamination) on MISSE 12 to 3.93×10 20 atoms/cm 2 after 1.17 years of direct space exposure on MISSE-10. The ram AO E y values for uncoated polymers range from 3.81×10 –25 cm 3 /atom for polytetrafluoroethylene (M9R-C20 F) exposed to an AO fluence of 3.44×10 20 atoms/cm 2 on MISSE-9 to 4.43×10 –23 cm 3 /atom for AO etched low density polyimide aerogel (M12R-C21 F) exposed to an AO fluence of 2.97×10 21 atoms/cm 2 on MISSE-12. Because of the low AO fluence and relatively high Si contamination, a number of PCE-3 wake samples experienced mass gain. Thus, AO E y values are not provided for these samples. Although there are calculated AO E y values for the zenith, wake and nadir samples, the ram AO E y for a particular material is a more reliable value in terms of AO exposure because the zenith, wake and nadir directions were exposed to either no or very little AO fluence and thus other space environmental factors (i.e. vacuum, thermal extremes and thermal cycling, and/or various types of radiation) are responsible for the mass loss.

Erosion yield

Analysis of International Space Station Vehicle Materials on MISSE 6

The International Space Station Materials and Processes team has multiple material samples on MISSE 6, 7 and 8 to observe Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environmental effects on Space Station materials. Optical properties, thickness/mass loss, surface elemental analysis, visual and microscopic analysis for surface change are some of the techniques employed in this investigation. Results for the following MISSE 6 samples materials will be presented: deionized water sealed anodized aluminum; Hyzod(tm) polycarbonate used to temporarily protect ISS windows; Russian quartz window material; Beta Cloth with Teflon(tm) reformulated without perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and electroless nickel. Discussion for current and future MISSE materials experiments will be presented. MISSE 7 samples are: more deionized water sealed anodized aluminum, including Photofoil(tm); indium tin oxide (ITO) over-coated Kapton(tm) used as thermo-optical surfaces; mechanically scribed tin-plated beryllium-copper samples for "tin pest" growth (alpha/beta transformation); and beta cloth backed with a black coating rather than aluminization. MISSE 8 samples are: exposed "scrim cloth" (fiberglass weave) from the ISS solar array wing material, protective fiberglass tapes and sleeve materials, and optical witness samples to monitor contamination.

Finckenor, Miria

MISSE-Flight Facility Polymers and Composites Experiment 1-4 (PCE 1-4)

Spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO) are subjected to harsh environmental conditions, including radiation (cosmic rays, ultraviolet (UV), x-ray and charged particle radiation), micrometeoroids and orbital debris, temperature extremes, thermal cycling, and atomic oxygen (AO). These environmental exposures can result in erosion, embrittlement and optical property degradation of susceptible materials threatening spacecraft performance and durability. To increase our understanding of effects such as AO erosion and radiation induced embrittlement of spacecraft materials, NASA Glenn Research Center has developed a series of experiments that are flown as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) missions on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS). These experiments have provided critical space environmental durability data such as AO erosion data of polymers and composites, and radiation induced mechanical property degradation of spacecraft insulation materials, after long term space exposure. In continuing these studies, four Glenn experiments have been flown on ISS’s MISSE-Flight Facility (MISSE-FF). These experiments are the Polymers and Composites Experiment-1 (PCE-1) flown as part of the inaugural MISSE-9 mission, the PCE-2 flown as part of the MISSE-10 mission, the PCE-3 being flown as part of the MISSE-12 mission, and the PCE-4 being flown as part of the MISSE-13 mission. This paper provides an overview of space environmental effects on spacecraft materials and Glenn’s PCE 1-4 MISSE-FF experiments.

Atomic oxygen

STS-114 Flight Day 9 Highlights

The highlight of Day 9 is the third extravehicular activity (EVA) of the STS-114 mission (Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot James Kelly, Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi, Stephen Robinson, Andrew Thomas, Wendy Lawrence, and Charles Camarda). Astronauts Noguchi and Robinson are seen preparing for the EVA in the closed payload bay of Space Shuttle Discovery; on the EVA they install on the International Space Station (ISS) a Materials on the International Space Station Experiments (MISSE) unit, an External Stowage Platform (ESP-2), and a wireless antenna. The astronauts are seen working on the ISS under different lighting conditions, and use a pistol-grip tool to remove ESP-2 from the shuttle payload bay. The Space Station Remote Manipulator System then carries Robinson to the underside of the Discovery orbiter, where he communicates with Mission Control during the delicate and unprecedented removal of gap fillers from between the shuttle's tiles. Before and the after the EVA the video includes views of a damaged thermal blanket beneath the shuttle cockpit window. Other views of the shuttle include pans along the underside and topside by the Orbiter Boom Sensor System. The video also includes a view from orbit of Kazakhstan.

Source record

Space Environmental Exposure of the MISSE 9-15 Polymers and Composites Experiment 1-4 (PCE 1-4)

Spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO) are subjected to harsh environmental conditions, including radiation (cosmic rays, ultraviolet (UV), x-ray and charged particle radiation), micrometeoroids and orbital debris, temperature extremes, thermal cycling, and atomic oxygen (AO). These environmental exposures can result in erosion, embrittlement and optical property degradation of susceptible materials threatening spacecraft performance and durability. To increase our understanding of effects such as AO erosion and radiation induced embrittlement of spacecraft materials, NASA Glenn Research Center has developed a series of experiments that were flown as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) missions on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS). These experiments have provided critical space environmental durability data such as AO erosion data of polymers and composites, and radiation induced mechanical property degradation of spacecraft insulation materials, after long term space exposure. Recently, four Glenn experiments with 365 flight samples were flown on ISS’s MISSE-Flight Facility (MISSE-FF). These experiments are the Polymers and Composites Experiment-1 (PCE-1) flown as part of the MISSE-9 mission, the PCE-2 flown as part of the MISSE-10 mission, the PCE-3 flown as part of the MISSE-12 and MISSE-15 missions, and the PCE-4 flown as part of the MISSE-13 mission. This paper provides details on the space environment exposure of Glenn’s PCE 1-4 flight samples. Passive samples were flown in each flight orientation for post-flight AO fluence determination and on-orbit contamination analyses. Solar exposure estimates were computed by Aegis Aerospace, Inc. The environment exposure details include the total space vacuum duration, time on the MISSE-FF, the direct space exposure duration, the AO fluence and the computed mission Equivalent Sun Hours (ESH) solar exposure. Typical on-orbit temperatures are also provided along with a summary of analyses of PCE 1-4 contamination witness samples. Knowledge of the space environmental exposure of the PCE 1-4 flight samples is crucial for flight data interpretation.

Atomic oxygen

The Design of Large-Scale Complex Engineered Systems: Present Challenges and Future Promise

Model-Based Systems Engineering techniques are used in the SE community to address the need for managing the development of complex systems. A key feature of the MBSE approach is the use of a model to capture the requirements, architecture, behavior, operating environment and other key aspects of the system. The focus on the model differentiates MBSE from traditional SE techniques that may have a document centric approach. In an effort to assess the benefit of utilizing MBSE on its flight projects, NASA Langley has implemented a pilot program to apply MBSE techniques during the early phase of the Materials International Space Station Experiment-X (MISSE-X). MISSE-X is a Technology Demonstration Mission being developed by the NASA Office of the Chief Technologist i . Designed to be installed on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS), MISSE-X will host experiments that advance the technology readiness of materials and devices needed for future space exploration. As a follow-on to the highly successful series of previous MISSE experiments on ISS, MISSE-X benefits from a significant interest by the

Bloebaum, Christina L.

Exposure of Polymer Film Thermal Control Materials on the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE)

Seventy-nine samples of polymer film thermal control (PFTC) materials have been provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center (GRC) for exposure to the low Earth orbit environment on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE). MISSE is a materials flight experiment sponsored by the Air Force Research Lab/Materials Lab and NASA. This paper will describe background, objectives, and configurations for the GRC PFTC samples for MISSE. These samples include polyimides, fluorinated polyimides, and Teflon fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) with and without second-surface metallizing layers and/or surface coatings. Also included are polyphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) and a polyarylene ether benzimidazole (TOR-LM). On August 16, 2001, astronauts installed passive experiment carriers (PECs) on the exterior of the ISS in which were located twenty-eight of the GRC PFTC samples for 1-year space exposure. MISSE PECs for 3-year exposure, which will contain fifty-one GRC PFTC samples, will be installed on the ISS at a later date. Once returned from the ISS, MISSE GRC PFTC samples will be examined for changes in optical and mechanical properties and atomic oxygen (AO) erosion. Additional sapphire witness samples located on the AO exposed trays will be examined for deposition of contaminants.

Dever, Joyce

Initial Results of the MISSE-Flight Facility Polymers and Composites Experiment 1-4 (PCE 1-4)

Spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO) are subjected to harsh environmental conditions, including radiation (cosmic rays, ultraviolet (UV), x-ray and charged particle radiation), micrometeoroids and orbital debris, temperature extremes, thermal cycling, and atomic oxygen (AO). These environmental exposures can result in erosion, embrittlement and optical property degradation of susceptible materials threatening spacecraft performance and durability. To increase our understanding of effects such as AO erosion and radiation induced embrittlement of spacecraft materials, NASA Glenn Research Center has developed a series of experiments that are flown as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) missions on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS). These experiments have provided critical space environmental durability data such as AO erosion data of polymers and composites, and radiation induced mechanical property degradation of spacecraft insulation materials, after long term space exposure. In continuing these studies, four Glenn experiments with 365 flight samples have been flown on ISS’s external MISSE-Flight Facility (MISSE-FF). These experiments are the Polymers and Composites Experiment-1 (PCE-1) flown as part of the inaugural MISSE-9 mission, the PCE-2 flown as part of the MISSE-10 mission, the PCE-3 flown as part of the MISSE-12 and MISSE-15 missions, and the PCE-4 flown as part of the MISSE-13 mission. The primary objective of the PCE 1-4 experiments is to determine the AO and radiation durability of spacecraft polymers and composites. In addition, each experiment has a wide variety of spacecraft materials and hence they each have numerous additional sample objectives. Each of the PCE 1-4 is designed to examine the consequences of AO interactions including AO erosion yield (Ey) and optical and thermal property characterization. Several polymers were flown in both ram and zenith flight orientations to determine the effect of varying solar to AO ratios on Ey. Common spacecraft materials including Teflon FEP, white Tedlar and Upilex-S were included on multiple MISSE missions so erosion dependence on environment exposure can be determined. The PCE-1 includes epoxy composite samples with varying ZnO levels to determine the effect of inorganic filler level on AO durability. And, a variety of samples were flown to characterize AO scattering and AO undercutting processes. All four PCE experiments include samples to provide better insight into radiation durability of polymers and composites. The MISSE-9 PCE-1 includes Teflon FEP tensile samples flown in the wake and zenith direction so variations in radiation exposure from the different flight directions can provide insight into radiation induced embrittlement of Teflon FEP. Teflon FEP tensile samples were also flown in the wake direction as part of the MISSE-13 PCE-4. In addition, shape memory alloys, shape memory composites, melanin based composites, stressed and unstressed gossamer sun shield materials, coated and uncoated docking seal samples, and new solar cell cover slides were flown for space radiation durability and/or shielding assessment. This paper provides an overview of Glenn’s PCE 1-4 MISSE-FF experiments and provides initial post-flight observations and results.

atomic oxygen