ITO-coated RE transparent materials for antenna sunshields-space environment effects

Conventional sunshield membranes on communication satellite antennas can be a source of large on-orbit discharges. Indium tin oxide (ITO) coated conventional materials were tested for their electrostatic discharge (ESD), radio frequency (RF), and thermooptical properties before and after their exposure to the space environment (ultraviolet, thermal cycling, electron radiation, and combined effects of both electrons and protons). The results of a series of tests performed to determine the suitability of the baseline configuration (Kapton, white paint, ITO) and of a suggested improved configuration (white paint, Kapton, ITO) are given. The results presented support the conclusion that the ITO-coated materials are acceptable as RF-transparent antenna sunshields for geosynchronous-orbit satellites