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

A series of advanced polymer films from Triton Systems is being developed t o meet the challenges of harsh space environmental effects, lighter weight requirements and superior thermal control performance demands. These films are highly resistant to atom oxygen erosion, and have excellent vacuum ultr aviolet (VUV) stability and radiation resistance in ground-based simulation tests. Two applications for these films include large inflatable structure s that ave either deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or travel through a LEO into higher altitudes, and as outer metalized lagers in Multi Layer Insula tion (MLI) blankets. This paper discusses the processing of these advanced materials into thin f ilms, metallization of the films, and characterization of their environment al durability as well as other physical, optical, thermal and mechanical pr operties.