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Test and Analysis Capabilities of the Space Environment Effects Team at Marshall Space Flight CenterMarshall Space Flight Center has developed world-class space environmental effects testing facilities to simulate the space environment. The combined environmental effects test system exposes temperature-controlled samples to simultaneous protons, high- and low-energy electrons, vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation, and near-ultraviolet (NUV) radiation. Separate chambers for studying the effects of NUV and VUV at elevated temperatures are also available. The Atomic Oxygen Beam Facility exposes samples to atomic oxygen of 5 eV energy to simulate low-Earth orbit (LEO). The LEO space plasma simulators are used to study current collection to biased spacecraft surfaces, arcing from insulators and electrical conductivity of materials. Plasma propulsion techniques are analyzed using the Marshall magnetic mirror system. The micro light gas gun simulates micrometeoroid and space debris impacts. Candidate materials and hardware for spacecraft can be evaluated for durability in the space environment with a variety of analytical techniques. Mass, solar absorptance, infrared emittance, transmission, reflectance, bidirectional reflectance distribution function, and surface morphology characterization can be performed. The data from the space environmental effects testing facilities, combined with analytical results from flight experiments, enable the Environmental Effects Group to determine optimum materials for use on spacecraft.
Document ID
20020091598
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Technical Publication (TP)
Authors
Finckenor, M. M.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Edwards, D. L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Vaughn, J. A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Schneider, T. A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Hovater, M. A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Hoppe, D. T.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 2002
Subject Category
Ground Support Systems And Facilities (Space)
Report/Patent Number
NASA/TP-2002-212076
NAS 1.60:212076
M-1061
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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