Evaluation of the COF MDPs Chromic Acid Anodization in Leo Environment

The Columbus Orbital Facility (COF), which constitutes the European space module of the International Space Station, is expected to be exposed to the low Earth orbit (LEO) environment for 15 years. Aerospatiale is in charge of developing the Meteoroid and Debris Protection Shield (MDPS). As part of this program, Aerospatiale, in cooperation with ONERA, has investigated specific properties of the Chromic Acid Anodization (CAA) used on the external aluminum panels. The purpose of the study was to assess experimentally the behaviour of these thermooptical surfaces when exposed to vacuum, ultraviolet radiation (UV) and atomic oxygen (AO) in the laboratory. In addition, plasma breakdown susceptibility was investigated.