ABSTRACT
The low earth orbit (LEO) space environment constituents include high vacuum, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, thermal cycles, atomic oxygen, electromagnetic radiation, charged particles, micrometeoroids, and man-made debris. These environmental constituents can significantly degrade the material characteristics of polymers and polymer matrix composite materials. The energy associated with UV radiations is capable of breaking the chemical bonds in the polymeric phase of the composites. This chapter presents effects of various space environment constituents on the mechanical behavior of FRP composites. Initially, various studies conducted on UV irradiation effects have been reviewed, followed by vacuum thermal cycling. Then, effects of gamma ray and neutron irradiation on composites have been studied. Atomic oxygen bombardment in LEO space can significantly degrade the surface of the composites. The performance of composites on exposure to atomic oxygen has been presented. Then, various studies conducted on composites under the simulated LEO space environment have been reviewed.
