Study of contaminants generated from space materials by impingement of atomic oxygen

Abstract

Collaborative activities are carried on between Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) for many years. These activities are dealing with contamination, space environment, electric device development etc. They are based on “Inter-Agency Agreement between JAXA and CNES concerning the cooperation in the field of space programs” which was concluded in 2010. Recently, one of our collaborative research in the field of contamination has been focused on atomic oxygen (ATOX) induced contamination. The aim of the different tests campaigns was to identify the nature of the contaminants (particulate and/or molecular) generated by ATOX impingement on polymer materials and to characterize their effects on the sensitive surfaces of optical instrument on spacecraft. In a previous work, five commonly used space materials were evaluated and the generation of particulate contamination from Beta cloth by impingement of ATOX was clarified. In the present study, several space materials were selected with different chemical natures among those used outside satellite potentially exposed to ATOX to confirm or to get new information regarding their behaviour. During 2019 and 2020 irradiation campaigns, these materials were irradiated by ATOX (at a representative fluence of 1.0E21 atoms/cm2) and the induced contaminants were collected onto collector plates. Both of the materials and the captured induced contamination were analyzed. This paper presents the compiled results of irradiation campaigns on six materials of interest (Beta cloth, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer, Ag coated FEP, UPILEX-S 125 μm, RTV-S691, MAP® SCK5N). Perspectives and future test plan between JAXA and CNES are also considered to complete this work.