Mountain Hardwear Satellite - Manual (Page 10)

9 - Satellite
Ultraviolet(UV)Light
Ultraviolet light degrades lightweight tent fabric (and almost
any synthetic material). UV light will cause the fabric to fade,
lose strength, and eventually disintegrate. The canopy of the
Satellite consists of an UV-resistant, waterproof, titanium
dioxide membrane laminated to a 40-denier polyester ripstop
fabric. While this titanium dioxide membrane is practically
UV-proof, the polyester fabric is not. The best way to prolong
the life of any tent is to keep it out of the sun as much as
possible. Pitch the tent in a shady spot whenever possible. By
striking (taking the tent down) in the morning and repitching
the tent late in the day, you will add to any tent’s longevity.
FoodStorage
Never store food in your tent. Animals will often tear or bite
their own entrance into a tent to get at your food.
Pole Care
When assembling the poles, never allow the pole sections to
snap against each other. Always make sure that all pole sections
are fully engaged before bending. Keep the poles clean and free
of silt, sand, and salt, taking special care with the tips as they
are not anodized and can corrode. When disassembling your
poles, always start from the center, then work your way to the
tips. This allows the elastic cord to be evenly stretched, an
important matter when the poles are stored disassembled for a
long period of time.
FIELDREPAIRS
Poles
If you break a tent pole you can repair the break temporarily by
splinting the pole with a short aluminum sleeve (called a repair
sleeve—three such sleeves are provided with the Satellite). The
aluminum repair sleeve is fitted over the broken pole section
and taped (or wedged) into place. Ski pole repair sleeves, tent
stakes and even branches can be used to splint broken tent
tubes.