Contamination effects due to space environmental interactions

Low Earth Orbital Atomic Oxygen Interactions with Materials

“…Sources of spacecraft contamination can include thruster propellants and burn residue, outgassing of spacecraft materials, vented gases from spacecraft systems, fluids released from the spacecraft by dumping or leakage, micrometeoroids and orbital debris, and particles generated or redistributed during spacecraft mechanical operations or astronaut extravehicular activity (EVA) operations (ref. 44). Comprehensive data on outgassing of spacecraft materials is found in reference 45.…”

“…The impacts of this degradation include reduced performance of solar arrays, radiators, instrument optics, sensors, and other systems (ref. 44).…”