Lecture

Environmental Constraints: Vacuum, Atomic Oxygen, and Radiations

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EE-580: Introduction to the design of space mechanisms

Space environment is different from what we can experience on Earth, requiring specific design approaches in order to achieve reliable operations. Engineers must hence face new challenges stimulating their creativity to tackle those particular constraints. ...

Description

This lecture covers the environmental constraints in space, focusing on vacuum, atomic oxygen, and radiations. Topics include vacuum definitions, atomic oxygen effects, chemical and thermal effects, and various types of radiations encountered in space. The slides provide detailed information on meteoroids, gas density calculations, and the impact of space environment on materials. The instructor discusses the challenges posed by the space environment, such as outgassing, breakdown voltage, and the reactivity of atomic oxygen. Additionally, the lecture explores the effects of vacuum on molecules, mean free path calculations, and the breakdown voltage in different environments.

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