| Abstract Scope |
Spacecraft materials in low Earth orbit (LEO) face continuous exposure to UV radiation, plasma, atomic oxygen, and energetic particles, causing surface erosion and progressive degradation of mechanical, thermal, and electronic properties. In-situ observations being impractical, this work proposes an integrated framework combining experimental insights from Earth-based simulations with multiscale modeling—from density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) at the atomistic scale to finite element simulations (FES) at the continuum level. We demonstrate a proof-of-concept by constructing carbon foam using a DFT-trained machine-learning interatomic potential and translating atomic data into continuum models for FES. Extending this approach, we will study selected spacecraft materials, incorporating experimental data, simulating LEO conditions, and analyzing property changes. These results will inform FES models to predict long-term damage. The framework offers a powerful tool for advancing spacecraft design and is broadly applicable to emerging materials research. |