Shear Thickening Fluid Treated Space Suit Layups: Terrestrial and MISSE-9 Low-Earth Orbit Studies

The durability of extra-vehicular activity (EVA) space suit layups treated with a specially formulated, low-volatility, shear thickening fluid (STF) is investigated on the exterior of the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Materials on the International Space Station Experiment (MISSE), MISSE-9 mission. A control layup and a shear thickening fluid treated layup are exposed to the low-Earth orbit (LEO) environment for nearly one year in the Ram-orbiting direction of the ISS, where they receive exposure to atomic oxygen (AO), space radiation, large temperature variations, and a potential threat from micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) impact. In parallel to the MISSE mission, simulated threats of MMOD via hypervelocity impact (HVI) testing and AO exposure in Earth-based studies are conducted at NASA�s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The samples are examined for changes in mechanical properties and optical properties following this simulated environment exposure. MISSE-9 post-flight analyses of the samples� durability include puncture resistance and optical properties. The LEO environment effects are compared to ground controls and discussed relative to monitoring data from the MISSE experiments, including photographs, temperature data, UV intensity, and particle contamination.