Multi-scale and multi-energy non-destructive X-ray analysis of the European Retrievable Carrier (EURECA)

The reduction in costs for space travel and scientific experiments in microgravity raises the question of equipment reusability. This goal can only be achieved if the space travel associated system degradations are fully understood. Non-destructive analysis of components post-flight can significantly reduce space travel expenses by identifying defects caused by the harsh conditions of launch and space environments and highlighting potential vulnerabilities. The concept of equipment reusability was first considered in 1992 with the first launch of the EURECA spacecraft, which was retrieved 11 months later. We present a multi-scale and multi-modal non-destructive analysis, using various X-ray systems, of the retrieved EURECA spacecraft to evaluate how launch, retrieval, and the harsh space environment impacted its support structure and payload. We discuss the unique challenges of X-ray imaging analysis due to the spacecraft's size and the multi-material composition of both the craft and its payload, and how these challenges were addressed. While early studies focused on surface defects, we provide an internal view of the EURECA satellite's support structure and experimental modules (payload) through a combination of X-ray methods. Our analysis spans more than three orders of magnitude for the object size, and five orders of magnitude with respect to resolution, capturing millimeter-scale details of the satellite and atomic-scale information about the material's crystal structure. Given the retrospective nature of this study, we hypothesize that the defects identified may be linked to differences in thermal expansion between materials, compounded by the extreme temperature gradients observed in space and during experiments conducted inside the modules. • The EURECA satellite inside-view by combining X-ray methods on a multiscale • From high resolution for the entire satellite to atomic materials information • Unparalleled X-ray imaging challenge for evaluating impact of space environment • Failure analysis for EURECA's support structure and payload