Role of flight experiments in the study of thermal-control coatings for spacecraft

Repair of a zinc oxide-potassium silicate thermal control paint.

“…6 It has been tested on flight vehicles, namely, Pesagus II and III, 6 on OSO IF (with slight modifications in the coating), and is scheduled for use on the radiators for the service module of the Apollo vehicle. 8 The results of these tests and its relative ease of application, good mechanical properties, and adequate adhesion to most spacecraft surfaces have indicated its adequacy for space use. However, it is essentially a ceramic and can be chipped by mishandling.…”