PROTECTIVE COATINGS FOR SPACECRAFT MATERIALS

An overview of the space environment is presented with particular atte ntion to the effect of atomic oxygen (AO) erosion of materials, includ ing the synergistic effects of UV radiation. New results are given sho wing the correlation of the erosion yield with a polymer structure fac tor. The application of protective coatings and their resistance to th e space environment are described for ground-based tests and flight ex periments. The coatings considered are: SiO2, a-Si:H, SiN and hexameth yl disiloxane. It was found that these coatings were highly resistant to AO and UV radiation.