Neutral Hyperthermal Atomic Oxygen System for Low Earth Orbit Environment Simulations

We propose the develpoment of a Low Earth Orbit Environment Simulation System. Such a system can be envisioned by combining the recent advances and proven technologies in radio frequency excited, high current density, oxygen beam generation; multiaperture beam acceleration and focusing; beam bending for beam focusing and purification; and beam neutralization by laser photoneutralization. Our concept constitutes a unique and innovative incorporations of state of the art equipment and techniques that will result in a system that can produce a neutral oxygen invironment similar in all respects to an actual low earth orbit environment. Phase I effort will lead to a complete system design and test plan for the verification oxygen beam purity, energy and fluence. The six month Phase I program and resulting system design, will significantly benefit ftom our expertise in beamline design, beam transport modeling, systems engineering and computer control systems. Phase II will focus on the construction and characterization of the Low Earth Environment Simulation System.