Surface Modification of Space-Related Flat Cable Conductors by a Novel Technological Process

Abstract

Results of making surfaces of flexible cable conductors, used for solar arrays in geostationary orbit, charge dissipative by a specially developed method of ion-beam surface treatment with simultaneous surface renewal are presented. All flexible cable conductor surfaces, including those with rough morphology and foreign inclusions, achieved surface resistivity of . at room temperature and kept charge dissipation in a wide space-related temperature range. A testing space qualification program confirmed all treated flexible cable conductors being resistant to thermal cycling and humidity, mechanically durable, and radiation resistant in geostationary orbit. All flexible cable conductors successfully survived 15 years space-equivalent geostationary orbit imitating testing. A comparison of beginning- and end-of-life characteristics of original and treated flexible cable conductors after this testing confirmed additional decrease of surface resistivity and almost equal final thermal-optical characteristics. Electrostatic discharge testing in a geostationary orbit charging testing facility demonstrated the long-lasting charge-dissipation properties of the treated flexible cable conductors, fully preventing them from building up critical charges in geostationary orbit environment, when a reliable grounding path is ensured for the surfaces.