Performance study of galactic cosmic ray shield materials
The space program is faced with two difficult radiation protection issues for future long-term operations. First, retrofit of shield material or conservatism in shield design is prohibitively expensive and often impossible. Second, shielding from the cosmic heavy ions is faced with limited knowledge on the physical properties and biological responses of these radiations. The current status of space shielding technology and its impact on radiation health is discussed herein in terms of conventional protection practice and a test biological response model. The impact of biological response on the selection of optimum materials for cosmic ray shielding is presented in terms of the transmission characteristics of the shield material. Although the systematics of nuclear cross sections are able to demonstrate the relation of exposure risk to shield-material composition, the current uncertainty in-nuclear cross sections will not allow an accurate evaluation of risk reduction. This paper presents a theoretical study of risk-related factors and a pilot experiment to study the effectiveness of choice of shield materials to reduce the risk in space operations.
- Research Organization:
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Hampton, VA (United States). Langley Research Center
- OSTI ID:
- 6550789
- Report Number(s):
- N-95-16912; NASA-TP-3473; L-17389; NAS-1.60:3473; CNN: RTOP 199-45-16-11
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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A proposed performance index for galactic cosmic ray shielding materials
Biological effects and physics of solar and galactic cosmic radiation, Part B; Proceedings of a NATO Advanced Study Institute on Biological Effects and Physics of Solar and Galactic Cosmic Radiation, Algarve, Portugal, Oct. 13-23, 1991
Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ASTRONAUTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION PROTECTION
SPACE FLIGHT
BIOLOGICAL SHIELDING
HEAVY IONS
PRIMARY COSMIC RADIATION
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHARGED PARTICLES
COSMIC RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IONS
MAMMALS
MAN
PERSONNEL
PRIMATES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
SHIELDING
VERTEBRATES
560180* - Radiation Protection Procedures- (1992-)
560151 - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man