The current generation of laboratory space simulation facilities is extremely complex and well-designed. However, because of the inability to simulate the space environment exactly, these facilities provide only relative performance of test materials in those limited conditions. Past flight measurements show significant disagreement between flight and laboratory data. Develop and test a reusable flight instrument for the in-situ measurement of operational spacecraft surfaces. There is a need to test many different operational materials in space and under different conditions of environment, orientation, temperature, duration, etc.
Ground based studies and limited flight data allow prediction of on-orbit degradation.
The SPSR will be able to directly measure actual thermal control surfaces. This data will allow better predictions of degradation and performance. The SPSR will be designed to be reflown with minimum refurbishment to meet varied mission requirements. The SPSR was transported to the Russian Mir Space Station during the STS-86 mission. The SPSR, battery housing, and flight battery were stowed in McDonnell-Douglas SpaceHab lockers during transport by the Space Shuttle.