Abstract Developing successful and optimal solutions to mitigating the hazards of severe space radiation in deep space long duration missions is critical for the success of deep-space explorations. Space crews traveling aboard interplanetary spacecraft will be exposed to a constant flux of galactic cosmic rays (GCR), as well as intense fluxes of charged particles during solar particle events (SPEs). A recent report (Tripathi et al., Adv. Space Res. 42 (2008) 1043–1049), had explored the feasibility of using electrostatic shielding in concert with the state-of-the-art materials shielding technologies. Here we continue to extend the electrostatic shielding strategy and quantitatively examine a different configuration based on multiple toroidal rings. Our results show that SPE radiation can almost be eliminated by these electrostatic configurations. Also, penetration probabilities for novel structures such as toroidal rings are shown to be substantially reduced as compared to the simpler all-sphere geometries. More interestingly, the dimensions and aspect ratio of the toroidal rings could be altered and optimized to achieve an even higher degree of radiation protection.
Highlights Developing optimal solutions to mitigate radiation hazards critical for deep-space exploration. Passive shielding strategies amount to adding “dead mass” and can lead to secondary radiation. Electrostatic shielding strategy extended to examine toroidal configuration. Our results show solar particle event radiation can almost be eliminated. GCR penetration and bio-effects for configuration shown to be reduced.
Configuration studies for active electrostatic space radiation shielding
Acta Astronautica ; 88 ; 138-145
2013-03-10
8 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Configuration studies for active electrostatic space radiation shielding
Online Contents | 2013
|Electrostatic space radiation shielding
Online Contents | 2008
|Electrostatic space radiation shielding
Elsevier | 2007
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