Technical Paper
An Experimental Solution for the Investigation of Degradation Effects of Spacecraft Coatings by the Simultaneous Simulation of Space Environment Factors
1998-07-13
981783
KOBE (Komplexe Bestrahlungseinrichtung), a test facility for the complex simulation of solar and particle radiation in high vacuum and space heat sink environment, is just now available in the DLR-Institute for Space Sensor Technology. The evaluation of degradation effects for material properties as a consequence of its interaction with solar and particle radiation in the free space is a very important requirement particularly for long term space missions. The essential point of our investigations concerning to degradation effects is the change of optical and thermooptical properties for several materials. These effects are to evaluate necessarily under the expected environmental conditions. That's why the availability of suitable test facilities is a requirement. The most important material defects in the free space are originated particularly from the solar radiation, especially in the wavelength range below 200 nm, as well as the particle radiation by protons and electrons.
