Material degradation due to impact against aggressive mono-atomic oxygen (AtOx) represents a crucial drawback for space structures operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) regions. Currently available methods for materials validation testing suffer of lack of reliable environment simulation, owing to the hard challenge to provide an a priori defined AtOx irradiation rate.
The AtOx testing device based on Pseudo-Spark technology is able to reproduce given exposure conditions: the variable AtOx fluence and irradiation energy in LEO range can be set-up and time-tuned by remote control of equipment working parameters (discharge voltage and frequency).
As dual application, AtOx technology can be exploited for cultural heritage conservation and for medical instruments sterilization.
