Charge-Dissipative, Radiation-Resistant Outer Layer for GEO MLI Blankets
Aluminized Black Kapton®, also known as carbon-filled PI or polyimide film, is a black, electrically dissipative polyimide with vacuum-deposited aluminum on the back side. It is designed as the outermost layer of MLI blankets on GEO spacecraft, where surface charging, stray light, and long-term radiation exposure are primary design drivers. The carbon fill bleeds off surface charge before it can build to a discharge-threatening potential, while the aluminized backside functions as part of the internal MLI stack. The dark side suppresses stray light around star trackers, telescopes, and other optical payloads. It is suitable for use as an outermost MLI layer or as a single-layer thermal and ESD control tape, with an operating range from -269°C to 240°C.
 
Materials Quality and Traceability
SQUID3 Space™ MLI materials are manufactured under a certified ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System facility. Complete material and manufacturing lot records, which include archive samples of finished product, are maintained by SQUID3. All products are shipped with a Certificate of Analysis.
 
Kapton® is a Registered Trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company