The 8-year report on MSX thermal blanket outgassing: an inexhaustible reservoir

Mark T. Boies; B. David Green; Gary E. Galica; O. Manuel Uy; Richard C. Benson; David M. Silver; Bobby E. Wood; Jeffrey C. Lesho; David F. Hall; James S. Dyer

doi:10.1117/12.559968

15 October 2004 The 8-year report on MSX thermal blanket outgassing: an inexhaustible reservoir

Mark T. Boies, B. David Green, Gary E. Galica, O. Manuel Uy, Richard C. Benson, David M. Silver, Bobby E. Wood, Jeffrey C. Lesho, David F. Hall, James S. Dyer

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5526, Optical Systems Degradation, Contamination, and Stray Light: Effects, Measurements, and Control; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.559968
Event: Optical Science and Technology, the SPIE 49th Annual Meeting, 2004, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

The Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) spacecraft has now been in orbit for over 8 years. The Total Pressure Sensor (TPS) has continually made measurements of the ambient and spacecraft induced environment since launch on April 24, 1996. The environment surrounding the satellite continues to be very dynamic. The magnitude of the solar induced pressure peaks has not decayed with time as would be expected. Even sole consideration of measured pressure versus duration of solar illumination does not illustrate long term decay. The TPS has continued to measure pressure variations of more than 2 orders of magnitude as the sun illuminates the blankets surrounding the instrument. The multi-layer thermal blankets appear to represent a large virtual source of water. The measured pressure is highly dependent upon the solar angle and the shadowing of surfaces by other structures. We will focus our attention on the results from an identical set of experiments conducted each year in July.

Citation Download Citation

Mark T. Boies, B. David Green, Gary E. Galica, O. Manuel Uy, Richard C. Benson, David M. Silver, Bobby E. Wood, Jeffrey C. Lesho, David F. Hall, and James S. Dyer "The 8-year report on MSX thermal blanket outgassing: an inexhaustible reservoir", Proc. SPIE 5526, Optical Systems Degradation, Contamination, and Stray Light: Effects, Measurements, and Control, (15 October 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.559968

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available