Hubble Space Telescope third servicing mission retrieved metallized Teflon FEP analysis

摘要

Following the third servicing mission (SM3A in December '99) to the Hubble Space Telescope, analysis was performed on the two returned panels of multilayer insulation (MLI) as well as two patches. The MLI panels had been in space since the telescope was launched in April '90 (9.7 years), while the patches were installed during the second servicing mission in February '97 (2.8 years). This paper provides an overview of the tests performed on the returned metallized Teflon FEP along with a summary of results. Testing including determination of mechanical and optical properties, crystallinity and fractography. Because of the amount of material retrieved and the nominal environmental exposures of the retrieved materials, these analyses resulted in a fairly complete understanding of the degradation process affecting the materials on the telescope. Test results from SM3A materials showed significantly better mechanical strength than second servicing mission (SM2) samples.