These practices enable the following information to be available:

3.1.1 Material atomic oxygen erosion characteristics.

3.1.2 An atomic oxygen erosion comparison of four well-characterized polymers.

The resulting data are useful to:

3.2.1 Compare the atomic oxygen durability of spacecraft materials exposed to the low Earth orbital environment.

3.2.2 Compare the atomic oxygen erosion behavior between various ground laboratory facilities.

3.2.3 Compare the atomic oxygen erosion behavior between ground laboratory facilities and in-space exposure.

3.2.4 Screen materials being considered for low Earth orbital spacecraft application. However, caution should be exercised in attempting to predict in-space behavior based on ground laboratory testing because of differences in exposure environment and synergistic effects.

1.1 The intent of these practices is to define atomic oxygen exposure procedures that are intended to minimize variability in results within any specific atomic oxygen exposure facility as well as contribute to the understanding of the differences in the response of materials when tested in different facilities.

1.2 These practices are not intended to specify any particular type of atomic oxygen exposure facility but simply specify procedures that can be applied to a wide variety of facilities.

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.