The information presented above highlights some of the most important issues with respect to identifying and using a new optical cable for space flight applications. The new designs will take advantage of the materials in use for hermeticity while maintaining easy coating strippability and maximizing mechanical strength. Testing is planned to address termination issues, radiation tolerance and to quantify mechanical durability.

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Definitions:

ETFE (Tefzel if crosslinked) Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene Hytrel: Polyester Elastomer

Kevlar: Aramid Fiber

Kynar (PVDF) Polyvinylidene Fluoride: Does not lose weight when prolonged exposed to 250 C. Self extinguishing. High radiation tolerance.

Proof Strength: tensile strength of a coated fiber. A proof test imposes a given load on a coated fiber causing any cracks which cannot withstand the tension to grow and ultimately break the fiber. The proof test is used to screen a coated fiber for a particular strength rating.

PTFE (Teflon) Polytetrafluoroethylene, non-flammable

Simplex Connector: single fiber, single ferrule connector.

Teflon: Fluorocarbon Resin

Tefzel Fluoropolymer Resin

Fiber Optic Cable Components:

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