Ground simulation of the effects of the space environment on ceramic nano-coated panels for space environment protection

A critical aspect to be addressed through materials engineered for aerospace missions is to provide the protection of space subsystems from the aggressive operative environment, in order to extend the life of such subsystem. Taking this fact into account, carbon-based ceramic composites are ideal candidates for the next development of industrial research in the aerospace field, thanks to the wide range of multi-functional elements obtainable using these materials. For example, ceramic-based hybrid structures can be designed to perform the environmental shielding function as well as to ensure the reusability of the structure itself. In particular, covering the surface of a C/C structure with a protective coating based on nano-particles and metal oxides it would be possible to preserve the functionality of the bulk (i.e. resistance to the critical conditions of the atmospheric re-entry phase) from the dangerous effects due to the LEO space environment where most of the missions takes place (mainly due to outgassing and oxygen erosion/corrosion atomic). In this paper the effects of the Space Environment on self-produced Carbon/Carbon nano coated panels have been evaluated in order to study a possible dual use.