Function of satellite devices can considerably be affected by contamination. Contamination and secondary damages represent a complex problem. Several damages are possible, for example degradation of optical surfaces, which especially with unhindered solar radiation can lead to permanent change of optical parameters, or the change of thermo optical parameters of surfaces due to contminant layers, which perhaps can result in a considerable change of thermal balance of the device.
In this special case a stringent requirement exists regarding surface cleanliness of a relatively large sensor target of Rhodium, which is an essential part of a chemical sensor being an element of the Cosmic Dust Analyzer (CDA) for the CASSINI-Mission.
Especially contamination of heavy organics due to inadmissible outgassing from surrounding materials can spoil critical surface.
For reduction or better prevention of these sources of contamination a test methodology was developed and assembled, which makes it possible to test materials and combined materials for their outgassing properties under the influence of vacuum and temperature thus supporting materials selection.