Coatings and Thin Films for Spacecraft Thermo‐Optical and Related Functional Applications

TLDR

Coatings and thin films for spacecraft are reviewed, covering thermal control and optical applications, the harsh space environment requirements, and recent advances and future prospects. The study lists space applications of coatings, describes their qualification through ESA ESTEC testing, and details degradation mechanisms from vacuum, thermal cycling, radiation, atomic oxygen, debris, and outgassing.

Abstract

Abstract An overview of coatings and thin films for spacecraft applications is provided, focusing on coatings for thermal control and optical applications. An outline of the requirements imposed by the harsh conditions in space is given. Space applications of coatings are listed and their qualification is described, including testing in the ESA laboratories at ESTEC. Coatings degradation in space and environmental testing, including degradation due to vacuum, thermal cycling, radiation, atomic oxygen, space debris, and outgassing effects, is covered in detail. Recent advances in the field and perspectives for future development are also reviewed based on the published literature.