Skip to content
AsteriaStar
Space hazard

Atomic Oxygen

Single oxygen atoms that dominate the thin atmosphere of low Earth orbit. Highly reactive, atomic oxygen slowly erodes exposed spacecraft materials, a design concern for anything operating for long periods in LEO.

Environment & effects

Affects:Earth

Knowledge connections

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

  • NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.

    Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.