RADIATION EXPOSURE ESTIMATES FOR MANNED EXPLORATORY MISSIONS UTILIZING SELECTED SHIELDING MATERIALS

摘要

Earlier radiation exposure estimates of manned deep space (lunar and Mars) missions have considered a variety of shielding materials, but have not necessarily been concerned with spacecraft weight reduction and the advantages of thermal and structural properties that other materials offer. The space radiation environment that humans will be exposed to is discussed in detail along with solar cycle effects. Crew radiation exposure estimates are presented for both the high-energy background galactic cosmic radiation and from solar particle events. The transit to and from the moon and Mars, orbital operations and surface operations are also discussed in detail. These exposure assessments are made using aluminum as the baseline shielding material and are compared with human radiation exposure estimates using other low-Z polymer and high-Z materials.