Surface scattering characteristics and the measurement of particulate contamination

Surface scattering measurement techniques can be adopted for use in spacecraft contamination control programs. A witness mirror measurement program was developed and implemented for the NASA Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) spacecraft. Scattering measurements were obtained before and after a qualification level vibration test for several COBE prototype instruments. The measurements indicate that a significant amount of particle redistribution occurred during the vibration test. The methodology used and the results obtained from this monitoring program are discussed