Abstract

The primary role of the space materials science is to ensure the long-term trouble-free operation of materials and elements of equipment in a space environment. The achievements of space materials science are a solid foundation for solving these tasks. In this paper we present the first part of the analysis of some different aspects of the space environment and their effect on the properties of materials (such as high vacuum conditions, own external atmosphere, collisions with particles, solar electromagnetic radiation, solar wind, penetrating corpuscular radiation) which are located or are mounted on the body of the International Space Station. But there are still problems such as the electrification of satellites, the work of materials in the atmosphere of heavy nuclei, the surface potential of the International Space Station, etc., which will be the subject of our next, second part of this study.