Impacts of Atomic Oxygen Exposure on Surface Morphology of Selected Spacecraft Materials

External spacecraft materials play a crucial role in protecting satellites from the harsh space environment. Research has demonstrated that the physical, chemical, and optical properties of these materials continuously change due to exposure to solar radiation and reactive chemical species in Earth’s upper atmosphere. A thorough understanding of how material properties evolve over the course of a mission is essential for improving spacecraft reliability. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the simulated low-Earth-orbit environment, specifically atomic oxygen, on various spacecraft materials selected as potential candidates for the 22nd Materials International Space Station Experiment Flight Facility mission in 2025, necessitating prior evaluation before deployment in orbit.