Outgassing study of spacecraft materials and contaminant transport simulations

Chung M. Wong; Aura C. Labatete-Goeppinger; Jesse D. Fowler; Myriam P. Easton; De-Ling Liu

doi:10.1117/12.2239103

27 September 2016 Outgassing study of spacecraft materials and contaminant transport simulations

Chung M. Wong, Aura C. Labatete-Goeppinger, Jesse D. Fowler, Myriam P. Easton, De-Ling Liu

Proceedings Volume 9952, Systems Contamination: Prediction, Control, and Performance 2016; 995203 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2239103
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2016, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Contamination control plays an important role in sustaining spacecraft performance. One spacecraft degradation mechanism involves long-term on-orbit molecular outgassing from spacecraft materials. The outgassed molecules may accumulate on thermal control surfaces and/or optics, causing degradation. In this study, we performed outgassing measurements of multiple spacecraft materials, including adhesives, Nylon Velcro, and other assembly materials through a modified ASTM E595 test method. The modified ASTM E595 test had the source and receiver temperature remained at 125°C and 25°C, respectively, but with prolonged outgassing periods of two weeks. The condensable contaminants were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine their spectral transmission and chemical composition. The FTIR spectra showed several spacecraft materials, primarily adhesives and potting materials, exhibiting slight absorption from contaminants consisting of hydroxyl groups and carboxylic acids. To gain insight into molecular contaminant transport, simulations were conducted to characterize contaminant accumulation inside a hypothetical space system cavity. The simulation indicated that contaminant molecules bouncing inside the hypothetical payload cavity can lead to deposition on colder surfaces, even though large openings are available to provide venting pathways for escaping to space. The newly established molecular contaminant transport simulation capability holds the promise of providing quantitative guidance for future spacecraft and its venting design.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Chung M. Wong, Aura C. Labatete-Goeppinger, Jesse D. Fowler, Myriam P. Easton, and De-Ling Liu "Outgassing study of spacecraft materials and contaminant transport simulations", Proc. SPIE 9952, Systems Contamination: Prediction, Control, and Performance 2016, 995203 (27 September 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2239103

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