MATERIALS AND PROCESSES

Evaluation of Space Environment and Effects on Materials (ESEM)

Atomic Oxygen Resistant Polymers Experiment

Mir Photo Survey
Principal Scientist: Mike Gaunce
NASA Johnson Space Center
Houston, TX 77058
Phone: 713 483-5153

Goal: To use still photos and video taken during rendevous, docked operations, and departure/fly-around to survey the exterior of the Mir for damage due to meteoroid/debris impacts, external contamination effects, and exposed material degradation.

Space Portable Spectro-Reflectometer (SPSR):
Principal Investigator: Mr. Ralph Carruth
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
Phone: 256-544-7647 Fax: 256-544-0212
E-Mail: melvin.carruth@msfc.nasa.gov

Goal: To provide in flight capability of measuring the solar absorptance of a material by developing a portable space qualified spectroreflectometer. Solar absorptance is one of the key thermal control properties for materials used in spacecraft design.

Coatings & Environment Effects Monitor (CEEM) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission:
Principal Investigators: Sharon Straka/Roy McIntosh
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Phone: 301 286-9736/301 296-5515 Fax: 301-286-1704
sstraka@mail724.gsfc.nasa.gov

Goal: The CEEM package will experience a 3 year mission total fluence of 4.5 x 1022 atoms oxygen/cm2 because the satellite yaws 180 degrees every 2 to 4 weeks.

The experiment will verify the integrity of materials/coatings in low earth orbit (350 km) during a period of maximum solar activity by examining effects of undercutting, UV/AO synergism, and AO erosion. It will also measure contaminant backscatter on ram and wake facing surfaces (also 90 degrees to ram). The monitor will also assess contamination impact from mono-propellant hydrazine thrusters and contamination effects due to solar UV and earth albedo. Launch date is August 1997.

Mir Environmental Effects Payloads (MEEP):
Project Manager: Greg Stover
NASA Langley Research Center
Hampton, VA 23681-0001
Phone: 804-864-7097 Fax: 804-864-7890
E-Mail: g.stover@larc.nasa.gov

MEEP is a common interface to shuttle and Mir (a passive experiment carrier). MEEP consists of the following four international Space Station (ISS) phase 1 risk mitigation experiments:

• Passive Optical Sample Assemblies (POSA):
  POSA-1
  Principal Investigator: Mr. James Zwiener
  NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
  Phone: 256 544-2528 Fax: 256-544-5103
  E-Mail: jim.zwiener@msfc.nasa.gov
  
  Goal: Assessment of the magnitude of molecular contamination on ISS critical exterior surfaces in the combined space environment. and quantify the performance and degradation rate of candidate/baseline ISS exterior surfaces materials.
   

• Passive Optical Sample Assemblies (POSA):
  POSA-2
  Principal Investigator: Gary Pippin
  Boeing Defense & Space Group
  Seattle, WA 98124-2499
  Phone: 206 773-2846 Fax: 206 773-4946
  E-Mail: piphgx00@ccmail.iasl.ca.boeing

Goal: Assessment of the magnitude of molecular contamination on ISS critical exterior surfaces in the combined space environment. and quantify the performance and degradation rate of candidate/baseline ISS exterior surfaces materials.

Schedule launch is March of 1996 on STS-76. The MEEP will be deployed on the Mir/Shuttle Docking Module and will be retrieved after approximately 1 year.

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