International Journal of Microgravity Science and Application (IJMSA)
巻
34
号
2
ページ
340207-1 - 340207-8
発行年
2017-04-30
抄録（英）
The mitigation of space debris is an important issue in current and future space exploration. It is much important to make clear the formation process of space debris as well as their origin for the mitigation, although it is not easy to make clear those of small sized space debris. In the present work, a formation mechanism of microparticle space debris has been proposed through experimental approaches with silicone contaminants outgassed from silicone adhesive deposited on polyimide film and irradiated by ultraviolet (UV) and atomic oxygen (AO). Observation by scanning electron microscopy showed that the silicone contaminants formed droplets with size around 20 μm on the surface of polyimide film. The droplets then solidified under the combined action of UV and AO irradiation, while polyimide film was eroded in the areas not covered by the droplets. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that microparticles that formed under UV and AO irradiation mainly consisted of silicon and oxygen. The present findings could help to clarify the origin of microparticle space debris found in space.
内容記述
形態: カラー図版あり
内容記述（英）
Physical characteristics: Original contains color illustrations
Formation of Microparticles from Silicone Contaminants under Simulated Space Environment
