Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Eduardo Farfan
Department
SPCEET – Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
Beyond the safety of the Earth's magnetic field, out into the treacherous reaches of space, lies a harsh environment of radiation. This study examines radiation shielding strategies for crewed spacecraft operating in various environments, including Mars transit and deep space. Within these environments, ionizing radiation remains a critical challenge to long-duration, crewed space travel. Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR), high-energy protons and heavy nuclei originating outside our solar system, as well as Solar Particle Events (SPE), highly energetic protons ejected continuously during the 11-year solar cycle, are all analyzed in their unique interactions with spacecraft material and biological tissues. Shielding to prevent high continuous radiation doses and to remain within NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos's standards for biological dose limits is investigated. Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS), such as cerebrovascular effects, and chronic effects, including cancer or cognitive impairment, in astronauts, are evaluated in conjunction with spacecraft material. Fundamental shielding incorporating both passive, active, and hybrid shielding is essential for continuous travel in deep space and for moderate travel to Mars. Dense materials like lead and tungsten divert and attenuate gamma rays through absorption or scattering, while hydrogen-filled polymer materials can scatter neutrons traveling near the speed of light. Active radiation shielding includes emerging technologies such as electromagnetic shielding using polar magnets and electrostatic fields designed to deflect charged particles. Both concepts are still in their infancy due to their dangerous nature during malfunction, and the heavy power constraints needed to maintain continual use. This study aims to analyze the aforementioned concepts and understand radiation shielding for further research.
Disciplines
Mechanical Engineering | Nuclear Engineering
Advancing Radiation Shielding for Human Space Exploration
Beyond the safety of the Earth's magnetic field, out into the treacherous reaches of space, lies a harsh environment of radiation. This study examines radiation shielding strategies for crewed spacecraft operating in various environments, including Mars transit and deep space. Within these environments, ionizing radiation remains a critical challenge to long-duration, crewed space travel. Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR), high-energy protons and heavy nuclei originating outside our solar system, as well as Solar Particle Events (SPE), highly energetic protons ejected continuously during the 11-year solar cycle, are all analyzed in their unique interactions with spacecraft material and biological tissues. Shielding to prevent high continuous radiation doses and to remain within NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos's standards for biological dose limits is investigated. Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS), such as cerebrovascular effects, and chronic effects, including cancer or cognitive impairment, in astronauts, are evaluated in conjunction with spacecraft material. Fundamental shielding incorporating both passive, active, and hybrid shielding is essential for continuous travel in deep space and for moderate travel to Mars. Dense materials like lead and tungsten divert and attenuate gamma rays through absorption or scattering, while hydrogen-filled polymer materials can scatter neutrons traveling near the speed of light. Active radiation shielding includes emerging technologies such as electromagnetic shielding using polar magnets and electrostatic fields designed to deflect charged particles. Both concepts are still in their infancy due to their dangerous nature during malfunction, and the heavy power constraints needed to maintain continual use. This study aims to analyze the aforementioned concepts and understand radiation shielding for further research.