Space Environment Simulation and Materials Testing

Abstract

Abstract This chapter describes the design and types of ground‐based test facilities used to simulate the effects of the space environment on materials. The ability of the facilities to replicate the environment is discussed. First, an overview is given of the design and operational requirements common to most types of facility, including the design of the vacuum facility, the requirements for the test environment, sampling handling and storage requirements, as well as cleanliness and contamination control requirements. Various measurement philosophies are also discussed. The different test facilities most commonly used are described, covering vacuum outgassing, atomic oxygen simulation, thermal testing, electromagnetic radiation and charged particle testing, micrometeoroid and orbital debris simulation, and testing in a pressurized environment. In each case, the facility design, test standards, and data analysis methodology are discussed. Other environments that are also mentioned briefly are planetary environments, spacecraft launch and re‐entry environments, synergistic test environments, and on‐ground environments.