Euro Material Ageing

EMA is an experiment that CNES is developing composed of two main equipment: SESAME and IR-Coaster. This experiment is part of the PROXIMA-2 mission on the Bartolomeo European module of the International Space Station. SESAME concerns the study of in-flight aging of new materials (samples) to gain better knowledge of the space environment and understanding of its effects on materials. The material properties (thickness, weight, thermo-optical properties) will be studied before and after flight. These materials could be passive (only exposed to the space environment) or active (power supply providing telemetry such as temperature, voltage, or electrical resistance).

IR-Coaster focuses on the direct exposure to solar radiation during experiments carried out in Earth orbit. The aim of IR-Coaster for Euro Material Ageing is to validate the concept of useful nanoloads, for the exposure in earth orbit of molecules of exobiological interest to solar radiation. It will also demonstrate the reliability of measuring their evolution by using an Infra-Red spectrometer during the whole exposure time with commercial components available and reconditioned for the space environment.

The two experiments have been mounted on the same site of the Bartolomeo module and are linked by an interface fitting, ensuring the mechanical and electrical link of the IR-Coaster module.

COMAT has carried out the design, manufacturing, assembly and the whole functional qualification of the equipment.