In deep space, there are two main sources of energetic particles, Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) and sporadic Solar Particle Events. The energetic particles that are abundant among the GCRs span the range from hydrogen nuclei (protons) to iron nuclei, with a range of kinetic energies spanning many orders of magnitude. Higher-energy GCRs can penetrate depths of shielding far greater than can be launched into space owing to the high cost of launch. SPEs typically produce lower-energy particles against which moderate depths of shielding suffice. Because of the high energy of many of the GCRs that impinge on a spacecraft and the complexity introduced by their interactions in spacecraft materials, crew members receive radiation doses at rates two to three orders of magnitude greater than those received on Earth. These doses are likely not enough to cause biological effects that would manifest during a mission, but are a concern for causing so-called late effects, such as cancers that could manifest in the years following a mission. This chapter describes the space radiation environment and the physical processes that occur when high-energy particles undergo electromagnetic and nuclear interactions with matter; these are the mechanisms by which bulk matter may provide some degree of shielding against space radiation. Brief descriptions are given of magnetic and electrostatic shielding that might be used to protect astronauts; both present extreme technical challenges that have not yet been met, leaving bulk shielding as the most likely option to be used in the human exploration of deep space.
Space Radiation Shielding
Handbook of Bioastronautics ; Chapter : 28 ; 353-375
2021-08-17
23 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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