Space durable polymeric films: advanced materials for inflatable structures and thermal control applications

摘要

A series of advanced polymer films from Triton Systems is being developed to meet the challenges of harsh space environmental effects, lighter weight requirements and superior thermal control performance demands. These films are highly resistant to atomic oxygen erosion, and have excellent vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) stability and radiation resistance in ground-based simulation tests. Two applications for these films include large inflatable structures that are either deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or travel through a LEO into higher altitudes, and as outer metallized laeyrs in Multi Layer Insulation (MLI) blankets. This paper discusses the processing of these advanced materials into thin films, metallization of the films, and characterization of their environmental durability and other physical, optical, thermal and mechanical properties.