PREFERRED
RELIABILITY
PRACTICES
PRACTICE NO. PD-ED-1263
PAGE 1 OF 6
CONTAMINATION CONTROL OF
SPACE OPTICAL SYSTEMS
MARSHALL
SPACE FLIGHT
CENTER
Practice:
Contamination of space optical systems is controlled through the use of proper design
techniques, selection of proper materials, hardware/component precleaning, and maintenance of
cleanliness during assembly, testing, checkout, transportation, storage, launch and on-orbit
operations. These practices will improve reliability through avoidance of the primary sources of
space optical systems particulate and molecular contamination.
Benefit:
Controlling contamination of space optical systems limits the amount of particulate and
molecular contamination which could cause performance degradation. Contamination causes
diminished optical throughput, creates off-axis radiation scattering due to particle clouds, and
increases mirror scattering. Controlling molecular contaminates minimizes performance
degradation caused by the deposition of molecular contaminants on mirrors, optical sensors and
critical surfaces; improves cost-effectiveness of mission results; and improves reliability.
Programs That Certified Usage:
Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM), Hubble Space Telescope (HST), and High Energy Astronomy
Observatory (HEAO).
Center to Contact for More Information:
Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)
Implementation Method:
Contamination control of space optical systems consists of the planning, organization, and
implementation of all activities needed to determine, achieve, and maintain the required
cleanliness level of the optical system.
Each optical system has its own unique contamination control
requirements. To effectively control contamination, concurrent
engineering procedures should be employed during design,
manufacturing, precleaning, assembly, testing/checkout, transportation,
storage, launch and on-orbit operations.
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