Radiation Shielding in MTV

Types of radiation in Space:

The radiation environment of deep space is very different from that at Earth's surface or in lowEarth orbit. For people outside the protection of Earth's magnetic field, space radiation is a
serious hazard.
Ionizing Radiation: Radiation in Space:
There are several forms of ionizing radiation in space. Ionizing radiation deposits energy onto the
atoms and molecules with which it interacts, causing electrons to be lost. The resulting ions, or
charged particles, give this form of radiation its name.
One form of ionizing radiation is galactic cosmic radiation. This type of radiation is thought to
come from supernovae, or exploding stars. While this radiation is low intensity, the particles
associated with galactic cosmic radiation have a high level of energy and cannot be shielded with
current spacecraft design technologies.
The second form is trapped radiation, which occurs when radiation becomes trapped in Earths
magnetic field. This type of radiation is not a problem outside of Earths magnetic field.
Finally, solar energetic particles are released by the Sun in what are called solar particle events.
This type of radiation is lower in energy, and is easier to protect astronauts and electronics from
with shielding materials.
Non Ionizing Radiation:
Non-ionizing radiation refers to a less energetic but still harmful radiation in which particles
impart energy on to the atoms and molecules with which it interacts, but does not strip off
electrons. One form of non-ionizing radiation is ultraviolet, or UV, radiation, which you may be
familiar with we use sunscreen on Earth to shield ourselves from harmful UV rays.

Spacecraft Radiation Shielding Methods:

1) Material or Passive Shielding:
Al, Water, Lithium hydride, Liquid methane, Liquid Hydrogen
Carbon nanotube based shielding
The most efficient shielding material is provided by liquid hydrogen. It shows the greatest
attenuation of high LET (Linear Energy Transfer) components with minimal addition of
troublesome secondary radiations. Also relatively efficient is water, and aluminum has been
shown to be a poor material for spacecraft construction since secondary radiations create an
additional hazard and any improved protection occurs only at very large depths.
2) Non-Material or Active shielding:
i) Magnetic Shielding:
There are some serious drawbacks to this technology. These issues include: (a) Requirements of
large currents to produce magnetic fields of ~20 T.
(b) Large power demands on acryo-cooling system for supporting high-Tc superconductors for
the magnetic fields, and (c) the adverse effect of magnetic fields on biological tissues itself. For
this reason, here we choose to turn to the alternate electrostatic shielding.
ii) Electrostatic Shielding : Electro- static shielding based on charged spheres
Electrostatic Active Space Radiation Shielding for Deep Space Missions:
The electrostatic shielding is most effective for solar particle events (SPE), as this radiation is
totally blocked or diverted. It also provides dramatic protection against galactic cosmic rays
(GCR) and was found to be over 70% more effective than the best current state-of-the-art
(hydrogen rich) material shielding. [Ram K. Tripathi].

Preliminary Comparison between Passive and Active Shielding techniques

Spacecraft Radiation Shielding General Considerations

Units of shielding mass-areal density (g/cm2) = Thickness (cm) X density (g/cm3)

Electrons have generally the same range in all materials when interpreted as g/cm 2. It
does not simply depend on atomic number.

Source: J. W. Wilson*, F. A. Cucinotta**, J. Miller***, J. L. Shinn*, S. A. Thibeault*, R. C.:

MATERIALS FOR SHIELDING ASTRONAUTS FROM THE HAZARDS OF SPACE
RADIATIONS

Source: Radiation protection for human missions to the moon and mars, Lisa C. Simonsen and
John E. Nealy, NASA Technical Paper 3079, Feb,1991.
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Permissible Dose Equivalent Consideration:

Permissible levels
The National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP) guides NASA on crew-permissible
exposure limits. However, these limits are based on the characteristics of the radiation that is
present in LEO, where Earth's magnetic field provides protection from solar flares and galactic
cosmic radiation.
Radiation exposure limit recommendations for astronauts working in low-earth orbit.

Anatomical Location
Eye
Skin
BFO

NCRP Report No. 98

(1989) (SV)

NCRP Report No. 132 (2000)

(Gy-Eq)

30 day limit
1.0
1.5
0.25

30 day limit
1.0
1.5
0.25

1 year limit
2.0
3.0
0.50

Career Exposure Limits NCRP

Report No. 98 (1989) (Sv)

Age (yr)
25
35
45
55

Male
1.5
2.5
3.25
4.0

Female
1.0
1.75
2.5
3.0

1 year limit
2.0
3.0
0.50

10 Year Career Exposure Limits

NCRP Report No. 132 (2000)
(Sv)

Male
0.7
1.0
1.5
3.0

Female
0.4
0.6
0.9
1.7

Here, also, the career limits are based on a 3% excess lifetime fatal cancer risk.
From above dose limit recommendations, we can consider permissible level of dose as 0.4 Sv
(40 rem/year)
Natural Shielding on Mars
The most abundant Martian surface material, ferrous oxide, has a slightly higher density but
somewhat lower mass attenuation coefficient than silicon oxide, resulting in comparable gamma
attenuation. The option of blasting a hole in the Lunar surface was eliminated for reasons
delineated above. With twice the gravity and limited surface features including few craters on
most parts of the Martian surface, the detonation of an explosive on Mars remains a reasonable
option for creating a natural reactor shield.
Although it is a feasible option, the design team has rejected natural shielding because it is
dependent on other mission parameters like having a bulldozer and picking a landing location
with soil soft enough to dig in. In order for our reactor to be as robust as possible, the chosen
shield must be independent of landing site and extra equipment. To construct a natural shield
would require moving 32 MT of regolith before starting the reactor; thus, an alternative power
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source will be required. Also, in light of suggested geometries discussed in Section Error:
Reference source not found, placing regolith in these locations would require alterations to the
rest of the system, such as specifying a new geometry for the radiator and power conversion
systems.
From tripati
Materials with even higher atomic numbers than aluminum (Z = 13) are progressively more
hazardous. Even local in situ materials need to be used with care because of the nature of the
secondary radiations produced. The augmentation of local materials with polymer binders can
help in controlling secondary radiations but requires more development, testing, and complete
evaluation for the specific application. Some of the required tools for this evaluation are the
subject of the present paper..