The Behavior of Systems in the Space Environment

Abstract

This ASI emphasized the basic physics of the space environment and the engineering aspects of the environment's interactions with spacecraft. The objective of the ASI was to bring together the latest data characterizing the space environment and the analyses of the interactions of spacecraft systems operating in that environment. The first is the emerging perspective of the space environment that has resulted from the vast quantity of new data on space physics that has been obtained recently. These data have provided a revised understanding of the near-earth space environment as well as the interplanetary regions. The second is related to the worldwide renewal of interest in extended space operations for military, commercial, and scientific missions. The ability of the spacecraft engineers to properly design and build spacecraft to accommodate the interactions of their systems with the space environment will pace the future uses of space. The theme of the Institute was the enhacement of scientific communication and exchange among academic, industrial, and government laboratory groups having a common interest in the behavior of systems in the environment of space. In line with the focus of the Institute, the program was organized into three main sessions: an introduction to and historical perspective of the space environment; the physics of the interactions of materials and components with the space environment; and, lastly, the engineering of systems for operations in the environment.