Jacqueline Reyes, The University of Texas at El Paso; Darren Cone, University of Texas at El Paso
Keywords: Reflectance spectroscopy, Orbital debris, material characterization, optical properties, light
Abstract:
Materials interact with light in a unique manner due to their individual elemental composition. Elements emit different light energies that fall within the electromagnetic spectrum, therefore corresponding to a specified wavelength per element. The reflectance spectrum produced from common spacecraft materials can be used to assist with remote orbital debris material identification techniques and can be further related to debris albedo and size. Materials used in aerospace design, such as aluminum alloys, stainless steels, ceramics, silicone paints, and solar cells, have been substantially characterized using reflectance spectroscopic techniques. An Analytical Spectral Device (ASD) was utilized to perform characterization on various spacecraft and rocket body structures by producing a spectrum relatively unique to a material from its properties in response to light. The materials used as specimen for this investigation specifically belong to a Titan IIIC Transtage test article rocket body, stainless steel radar calibration spheres, and solar cells used to construct a Hughes/Boeing HS-376 spacecraft. The spectrum results of said materials are presented in the subsequent work to enhance current spectroscopic data of interest within aerospace and orbital debris communities.
Date of Conference: September 11-14, 2018
Track: Poster