Class
Article
College
College of Science
Department
Physics Department
Faculty Mentor
JR Dennison
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
The focus of this research is to characterize materials that are being considered for use in the development of the Lunar Gateway Space Station (LOP-G). The LOP-G will experience ultra-high vacuum and bombardment by solar radiation, which subject the spacecraft to a phenomenon referred to as spacecraft charging. Spacecraft charging can be defined as extra charge accumulated in spacecraft materials from solar radiation, plasma environments, magnetic fields, and more. If a material accumulates too much charge, it may discharge arcs to surrounding components, which can cause electronic failure, structural damage, and ablation of thermal coatings. To avoid this, materials must be able to withstand predicted amounts of accumulated charge without discharge. In experiments described here of three materials—anodized aluminum, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene or Teflon) coated anodized aluminum,and PVMQ (phenyl vinyl methyl polysiloxane)—a low current electrometer is used to measure the conductivity under applied voltage. This shows how easily electrons flow through the materials, thus giving an idea of how susceptible the material is to spacecraft charging and how much charge it can withstand before experiencing electrostatic breakdown. Breakdown occurs when a current path is created because of the large voltage variance in the material; sustained high current along this path can cause damage. These observations are important to keep in mind when choosing what material to use for the LOP-G to ensure that it can survive its demanding environment. Presentation Time: Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/82644853581?pwd=QytsZ1ZFQ3FhUlVzL0NuVHRXRzhYZz09
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-12-2021 12:00 AM
Included in
Conductivity Measurements for Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway (LOP-G) Materials
Logan, UT
The focus of this research is to characterize materials that are being considered for use in the development of the Lunar Gateway Space Station (LOP-G). The LOP-G will experience ultra-high vacuum and bombardment by solar radiation, which subject the spacecraft to a phenomenon referred to as spacecraft charging. Spacecraft charging can be defined as extra charge accumulated in spacecraft materials from solar radiation, plasma environments, magnetic fields, and more. If a material accumulates too much charge, it may discharge arcs to surrounding components, which can cause electronic failure, structural damage, and ablation of thermal coatings. To avoid this, materials must be able to withstand predicted amounts of accumulated charge without discharge. In experiments described here of three materials—anodized aluminum, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene or Teflon) coated anodized aluminum,and PVMQ (phenyl vinyl methyl polysiloxane)—a low current electrometer is used to measure the conductivity under applied voltage. This shows how easily electrons flow through the materials, thus giving an idea of how susceptible the material is to spacecraft charging and how much charge it can withstand before experiencing electrostatic breakdown. Breakdown occurs when a current path is created because of the large voltage variance in the material; sustained high current along this path can cause damage. These observations are important to keep in mind when choosing what material to use for the LOP-G to ensure that it can survive its demanding environment. Presentation Time: Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/82644853581?pwd=QytsZ1ZFQ3FhUlVzL0NuVHRXRzhYZz09