Abstract
Polymeric flexible films are candidate materials for the fabrication of inflatable structures, which is a key technology in constructing space facilities. These materials are also central to the design of future artificial satellites and solar panels for space stations. These space-based structural members have to hold a certain amount of tensile load in severe environments irradiated by atomic oxygen and radiation. The effects of radiation on polymeric film have been studied, but the damage resulting from processes under tensile force have not been fully elucidated. To investigate this phenomenon, we conduct space experiments that expose PEEK sheets under tensile stress to a real space environment utilizing the International Space Station's Russian Service Module, and carry out ground control experiments that irradiate single and combined atomic oxygen, ultraviolet ray, and electron beam to the same materials. This report introduces an outline of these experiments and presents results of pilot irradiation tests carried out before the regular ground control experiments.
