scope:

The scope of this procedure is limited to the VCMO test chamber (ECN 1440934) and associated support hardware and instrumentation located in Building 4711 room E179B. Operators are expected to be familiar with ASTM E 595, MSFC-SPEC-1443 and all current governing ISO documents before proceeding with testing.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this procedure is to define the operational test method to support MSFC-SPEC-1443 "Outgassing Test for Non-Metallic Materials Associated with Contamination Sensitive Surfaces in a Thermal Vacuum Environment." This specification was written to supplement JSC-SP-R-0022 "Specification for Vacuum Stability Requirements of Polymeric Material for Spacecraft Application" since it was found that materials could meet the requirements of JSC-SP-R-0022 but still contaminate sensitive surfaces to a point that they become non-functional.