ISO 16378:2013 specifies the multiple measurement methods, instruments, equipment, and samples used to calculate the thermo-optical properties of thermal control materials. It compares their features, indicates their limitations and biases, and guides the applications. These measurements will be performed at ground test facilities with the purpose of obtaining material properties. The measured properties will be used for material selection, thermal design of spacecraft, process control, quality control, etc. Also, on-orbit temperature data in the beginning of life can be assessed using the data obtained by ground measurement. Requirements for calibration and reference materials to ensure data quality are also defined.

The following test methods are detailed in the annexes of ISO 16378:2013 including the configuration of samples and calculations:

1. Solar absorptance using a spectrophotometer: (α_s);
2. Solar absorptance using the comparative test method: (α_p);
3. Hemispherical infrared emittance using the thermal test method: (ε_h-t);
4. Normal infrared emittance using an IR spectrometer: (ε_n-s);
5. Normal infrared emittance using ellipsoid collector optics (ε_n-e);
6. Normal infrared emittance using two rotating cavities: (ε_n-c).