Space environment simulation at radiation test of nonmetallic materials

Russia [1] (B.A. Briskman, V.I. Toupikov, E.N. Lesnovsky, Proceedings of th e Seventh International Symposium on Materials in Space Environment, Toulou se, France, 16-20 June 1997, ESA, SP-399, p. 537) has proposed new internat ional standard for the testing of materials to simulated space radiation. T he proposal was submitted to ISO (The International Organization for Standa rds) Technical Committee 20 (Aircraft and Space Vehicles), Subcommittee 14 (Space Systems and Operations) and was approved as Working Draft 15856 at t he Los-Angeles meeting (1997). The second version of the draft was approved at the Beijing meeting (1998). The standard extends to space ionizing radi ation: protons, electrons, solar ultraviolet, soft X-radiation, bremsstrahl ung, that effect the polymeric materials of space engineering. The special feature of interaction of the space ionizing radiation with materials is th e localization of the main part of absorbed energy in thin near-surface lay ers. Numerous problems appear in simulating the ionizing radiation impact, which require a solution for correct conduction of the on-ground tests. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.