Is corrosion a problem in outer space?

Yes, particularly in low Earth orbit. In low Earth Orbit there is a relative abundance of atomic oxygen. Atomic oxygen is very reactive and oxidizes metals and hydrocarbon polymers quite actively. read more

Corrosion can be a tremendous problem in low Earth orbit (LEO) but I have to disagree with Robert Frost and others as to the source. In the early days of shuttle, I used to frequently meet with guys working at Moffet field in California. read more

Corrosion in space is the corrosion of materials occurring in outer space. Instead of moisture and oxygen acting as the primary corrosion causes, the materials exposed to outer space are subjected to vacuum, bombardment by ultraviolet and X-rays, and high-energy charged particles (mostly electrons and protons from solar wind). read more

Corrosion in space is the corrosion of materials occurring in outer space . Instead of moisture and oxygen acting as the primary corrosion causes, the materials exposed to outer space are subjected to vacuum , bombardment by ultraviolet light and x-rays , high-energy charged particles (mostly electrons and protons from the solar wind ). read more

In low Earth Orbit there is a relative abundance of atomic oxygen. Atomic oxygen is very reactive and oxidizes metals and hydrocarbon polymers quite actively. A second mechanism for corrosion in space is off-gassing. Some materials will off-gas significantly in a vacuum. read more

Corrosion in space. Corrosion in space is the corrosion of materials occurring in outer space. Instead of moisture and oxygen acting as the primary corrosion causes, the materials exposed to outer space are subjected to vacuum, bombardment by ultraviolet and X-rays, and high-energy charged particles (mostly electrons and protons from solar wind). read more