Protection of Materials and Structures from the Low Earth Orbit Space Environment

The proceedings of the 3rd International Space Conference are important since they came in the wake of the official closure of the LDEF program. The main mandate of this publication is to continue the discussions on the effects of the harsh low earth orbit (LEO) environment on materials and structures and on ways to prevent and/or reduce them. In accordance with this mandate, the main objectives and important points in the book are to promote the dissemination among research organizations and scientists of experimental data and experience gained from LDEF samples and other ground and flight experiments. The book also aims to provide a tool for engineers, material scientists, and management in space and aerospace sectors to learn about the latest advances in the protection of materials and structures in LEO environment. It provides a basis for interaction and utilization of each others' capabilities in cross-pollenization of ideas. The text reviews research and development in topics such as: effects of LEO environment on materials and structures; predictive models for interaction of materials with LEO environment; and factors and alternative ways for protection from LEO environment.