Section: AtOx Flux Generation & Control
BEAMIDE has established a dedicated atomic oxygen (AtOx) irradiation capability to support the testing and qualification of materials intended for use in low Earth orbit (LEO) environments. Atomic oxygen is a primary contributor to surface erosion and material degradation in space, and its effects must be accurately assessed during the design and validation phases of space systems.
The irradiation facility enables controlled exposure to atomic oxygen fluxes representative of LEO conditions, in compliance with ASTM E2089-15 (2020) guidelines. Test samples are prepared through dehydration and precision mass measurement prior to exposure, ensuring reproducibility and traceability of erosion yield data.
In addition to atomic oxygen exposure, the setup supports thermal cycling between –100 °C and +150 °C, allowing combined environmental stress testing under realistic operational conditions. Following irradiation, material surfaces can be characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to evaluate erosion mechanisms, oxidation effects, and compositional changes.
This infrastructure enhances BEAMIDE’s capabilities in space environment simulation and materials validation, complementing numerical modeling activities performed with MRADSIMfor radiation and environmental effects analysis.
