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Fabrication of Regolith-Derived Radiation Shields: Preliminary ResultsUnlike the Earth, Mars and asteroids do not have a magnetosphere to protect humans, mechanisms and electronics from damaging Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR) and solar particle events (SPE). This presents one of the highest risks to crew and onboard electronics during interplanetary journeys. The goal of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of carbonaceous asteroids and other hydrogen-rich materials as potential radiation shielding materials, which ultimately could be tested during planned crewed missions to a captured asteroid fragment (ARM). This type of investigation represents an initial effort to develop radiation shield material compositions, production methods and technologies, and optimization methodology for manufacturing radiation shields in deep space for large exploration human missions or by emerging new industries seeking to stage their spacecraft for the exploitation of the resources of asteroids. Carbonaceous chondrites (C-type) are of particular interest as sources of compounds such as water ice and hydrogen-rich carbon molecules, which can provide sufficient low Z element density to provide radiation protection at adequate shield thicknesses.
Document ID
20160007408
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
Mantovani, James G.
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Sibille, Laurent
(Ascentech Enterprises, Inc. Kennedy Space Center, FL, United States)
Townsend, Ivan I.
(Craig Technologies Cape Canaveral, FL, United States)
Delgado, Armando
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Grossman, Kevin D.
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Hatcher, George W.
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Date Acquired
June 9, 2016
Publication Date
June 7, 2016
Subject Category
Space Transportation And Safety
Space Radiation
Report/Patent Number
KSC-E-DAA-TN31975
Report Number: KSC-E-DAA-TN31975
Meeting Information
Meeting: Joint Space Resources Roundtable, Inc. (SRR) and the Planetary and Terrestrial Mining Science Symposium (PTMSS)
Location: Golden, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: June 7, 2016
End Date: June 9, 2016
Sponsors: Lunar and Planetary Inst., Colorado School of Mines, Space Resources Roundtable, Inc. (SRR)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNK11EA08C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Regolith
Asteroids
ISRU
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