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Abstract
Space-mission development introduced the problem of human isolation in extreme environments. The integration of architectural concepts such as windows, with their technical implications into human space missions, is necessary especially for long-duration space flights. Such solutions must be subjected to close certification testing in order to establish their compliance with severe space environment conditions. Moreover, projects of long-term missions involve a renewed concern about fire safety in manned space vehicles. The supposed occupancy time of the order of decades, in fact, makes unplanned fire ignition events virtually unavoidable. An experimental test-plan performed to qualify a commercial thermoplastic material for applications as transparent element in spacecraft is reported in the present work. A flame exposure test, as well as ultraviolet radiation and atomic oxygen erosion rate measurements, was carried out on a commercial poly-sulfone material, following ASTM standard procedures. The aim of the research was to develop and put forward flame retardant structures able to withstand the harsh space environment, preventing or mitigating the degradation of their physical and chemical integrity, with particular regard to the visible-light transparency. The results obtained show that the tested poly-sulfone may be considered as a promising material for the claimed application, even if further surface optimization treatments should be conceived in order to gain a full adaptability to the operative constraints.
Highlights
The operational spacecraft environment of low earth orbit (LEO) is characterized by the damaging synergic effects of solar radiations, such as ultraviolet and X-rays, atomic oxygen impact and ionizing radiations; protecting from these environmental conditions represents a fundamental task for every space mission [1,2,3,4,5,6]
The ESA “FlexWin” (Flexible Window for inflatable habitats) funded project was devoted to investigate innovative materials and solutions to be used as optical parts, with particular reference to the inflatable modules [10]
The test chamber is thoroughly analyzed after each test, in order to check if the specimen sputtered some particles due to the flame exposure (material spread)
Summary
The operational spacecraft environment of low earth orbit (LEO) is characterized by the damaging synergic effects of solar radiations, such as ultraviolet and X-rays, atomic oxygen impact and ionizing radiations; protecting from these environmental conditions represents a fundamental task for every space mission [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Considering a normal habitat on the Earth, a very common element of the living built environment, with basic importance from a psychological point of view, is the window. The ESA “FlexWin” (Flexible Window for inflatable habitats) funded project was devoted to investigate innovative materials and solutions to be used as optical parts, with particular reference to the inflatable modules [10]. PSUs are light transparent thermoplastic polymers usually employed for their toughness, impact strength and flame resistance [12]. Such characteristics could make them competitive with respect to the glass-based materials so far employed for spacecraft optical components
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