The difference between "space" and here on Earth, is space has fewer molecules of air and more sunlight.
The fewer molecules of air means that the material will want to equalize its internal gas pressure with the external gas pressure (almost zero). By treating it first in a vacuum chamber they take care of that before construction, reducing any potential structural changes due to this equalization (outgassing).
More sunlight means it will degrade the wood a little faster than on earth, though they are giving the wood some level of protection against that as well.
The atomic oxygen is very reactive and will cause some degradation also, but at 600km there isn't that much, so it may not do much.
It sounds like measuring degradation is part of the experiment. We'll see if the photons or oxygen does the most damage first. It could last decades (or a few months, I have no idea without doing some actual calculations).
The difference between "space" and here on Earth, is space has fewer molecules of air and more sunlight.
The fewer molecules of air means that the material will want to equalize its internal gas pressure with the external gas pressure (almost zero). By treating it first in a vacuum chamber they take care of that before construction, reducing any potential structural changes due to this equalization (outgassing).
More sunlight means it will degrade the wood a little faster than on earth, though they are giving the wood some level of protection against that as well.
The atomic oxygen is very reactive and will cause some degradation also, but at 600km there isn't that much, so it may not do much.
It sounds like measuring degradation is part of the experiment. We'll see if the photons or oxygen does the most damage first. It could last decades (or a few months, I have no idea without doing some actual calculations).
Thanks for explaining this- I have a rebelliously un-scientific mind, this helps greatly.