Characterization of space environmental effects on candidate solar sail material

David L. Edwards; Whitney Hubbs; Tesia Stanaland; Andrew Hollerman; Richard L. Altstatt

doi:10.1117/12.451455

11 November 2002 Characterization of space environmental effects on candidate solar sail material

David L. Edwards, Whitney Hubbs, Tesia Stanaland, Andrew Hollerman, Richard L. Altstatt

Proceedings Volume 4823, Photonics for Space Environments VIII; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.451455
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2002, Seattle, WA, United States

Abstract

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is concentrating research into the utilization of photonic materials for spacecraft propulsion. Spacecraft propulsion, using photonic materials, will be achieved using a solar sail. A sail operates on the principle that photons, originating from the sun, impart pressure and provide a source of spacecraft propulsion. The pressure can be increased, by a factor of two if the sun-facing surface is perfectly reflective. Solar sails are generally composed of a highly reflective metallic front layer, a thin polymeric substrate, and occasionally a highly emissive back surface. The Space Environmental Effects Team at MSFC is actively characterizing candidate solar sail materials to evaluate the thermo-optical and mechanical properties after exposure to a simulated Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) radiation environment. This study is the first known characterization of solar sail materials exposed to space simulated environments. The technique of radiation dose verses material depth profiling was used to determine the orbital equivalent exposure doses. The solar sail exposure procedures and results of the material characterization will be discussed.

Citation Download Citation

David L. Edwards, Whitney Hubbs, Tesia Stanaland, Andrew Hollerman, and Richard L. Altstatt "Characterization of space environmental effects on candidate solar sail material", Proc. SPIE 4823, Photonics for Space Environments VIII, (11 November 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.451455

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available