Evaluation of SPE and GCR Radiation Effects in Inflatable, Space Suit and Composite Habitat Materials ProjectThe radiation resistance of polymeric and composite materials to space radiation is currently based on irradiating materials with Co-60 gamma-radiation to the equivalent total ionizing dose (TID) expected during mission. This is an approximation since gamma-radiation is not truly representative of the particle species; namely, Solar Particle Event (SPE) protons and Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) nucleons, encountered in space. In general, the SPE and GCR particle energies are much higher than Co-60 gamma-ray photons, and since the particles have mass, there is a displacement effect due to nuclear collisions between the particle species and the target material. This effort specifically bridges the gap between estimated service lifetimes based on decades old Co-60 gamma-radiation data, and newer assessments of what the service lifetimes actually are based on irradiation with particle species that are more representative of the space radiation environment.
Document ID
20170001533
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Waller, Jess M. (Jacobs Technology, Inc. Las Cruces, NM, United States)
Nichols, Charles (NASA White Sands Test Facility NM, United States)
Date Acquired
February 9, 2017
Publication Date
November 1, 2016
Subject Category
Composite MaterialsSpace RadiationSpacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-37750
Meeting Information
Meeting: Center Independent Research & Development