ABSTRACT
This chapter briefly discusses spacecraft optical contamination and control as analyzed and tested in the Rome Laboratory program. It provides a brief summary of contamination detection and removal devices. Contamination can be either particulate or molecular in nature. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause photo-induced catalysis of organic molecules. This is especially of concern in space-craft systems which are subject to vacuum ultraviolet radiation. It is important to recognize the commercial applications of spinoffs of space systems technology. The very nature of satellite systems implies that any maintenance be autonomous. Thus, the robotic contamination detection, removal, and collection technologies may be applicable to industrial production-line and research laboratories. Cryogenic Quartz Crystal Microbalance is utilized to monitor molecular contamination deposition on optical surfaces and to understand contamination effects at cryogenic temperatures. The new Aerogel Mesh Contamination Collector, when used in conjunction with the contamination removal techniques forms a unique contamination removal and collection/containment system.
