Using NASA’s Molecular Adsorber Coating Technology During Thermal Vacuum Testing to Protect Critical Laser Flight Optics on the ATLAS Instrument

Abstract: The Molecular Adsorber Coating (MAC) is a sprayable coatings technology that was developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The coating was designed to address molecular contamination concerns on or near sensitive surfaces and instruments within the spacecraft for flight or ground-based applications in vacuum conditions. This paper will discuss the use of NASA’s MAC technology to isolate and protect the critical laser flight optics of the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System…