Spacecraft Thermal Coatings: gold_foil
Spacecraft thermal control coating optical properties — solar absorptivity (alpha) and infrared emissivity (epsilon) for common spacecraft thermal surfaces. Covers white paints (S13G/L, Z-93/AZ-93, YB-71, Aeroglaze A276), black paints (Aeroglaze Z306/Chemglaze Z306, MAP-9, carbon-black, Acktar Fractal Black), optical solar reflectors (OSR quartz/Ag, OSR glass/Al, flexible Ag-FEP), silver-Teflon tape (Ag/FEP 2-mil and 5-mil), gold foil (VDG on Kapton), aluminized Kapton (Al-side out, Kapton-side out, double-aluminized), bare metals (polished Al, alodine Al, electropolished SS, mechanically polished SS, Ti-6Al-4V), anodized aluminum (clear anodize, black anodize), MLI materials (beta cloth, embossed Al-Mylar), and conductive coatings (Ge/Kapton, ITO/Kapton). All values are BOL (beginning of life). Data from NASA RP-1121, Gilmore Spacecraft Thermal Control Handbook 2nd Ed., AZ Technology, Acktar, Socomore/Lord Aeroglaze, and peer-reviewed literature.
| coating category | coating name | alpha notes | alpha sol (dimensionless) | application | epsilon ir (dimensionless) | epsilon notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| gold_foil | Gold-Coated Kapton Tape (adhesive backed) | Vapor-deposited gold on Kapton adhesive tape; thin gold layer | 0.25 | Quick-application thermal control; cable wrapping; local hot-spot mitigation | 0.02 | Excellent low-emittance performance; similar to VDG |
| gold_foil | Vapor-Deposited Gold (VDG) on Kapton | Gold metal side exposed; moderate solar absorption due to interband transitions above 500 nm | 0.25 | Low-emittance surfaces; MLI inner layers; thermal isolation surfaces; instrument baffle interiors | 0.03 | Very low IR emissivity characteristic of polished gold; <0.05 |
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