Contamination monitoring of materials in vacuum
Contamination control is a critical aspect of risk mitigation for contamination sensitive surfaces in satellites. Molecular organic contaminants (MOCs) that are deposited on surfaces like lenses may decrease the performances of instruments. Common monitoring methods that are used in space business include: TQCM monitoring (Thermally stabilised Quartz Crystal Microbalance), RGA (Residual Gas Analysis), witness foils to collect contaminants for ex-situ analysis, infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) or X-ray Photo Spectroscopy (XPS). The issue is … [...]
