Effects of Extreme Radiation Environment on Composite Materials
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0929-II06-06
Effects of Extreme Radiation Environment on Composite Materials Jianren Zhou1, Jerrel Moore1, Vernon Calvin1, Richard Wilkins1, Sofia Martinez Vilarino1, Yang Zhong1, Brad Gersey1, and Sheila Thibeault2 1 College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, 77446 2 NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, 23681 ABSTRACT Future manned space travel will go beyond the Lower Earth Orbit (LEO) into deep space exploration and providing protection from space radiation is a major challenge. It is essential to study the effects of the space environment on materials to ensure safe and successful missions. This paper summarized the studies of two materials, in-site regolith composites and LTM 45 composites, for potential applications in space radiation environments. The effects of radiation on the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were investigated. The radiation shielding effectiveness of in-situ composites and low temperature molding materials was analyzed. The work was part of the efforts in studying and development of the multifunctional materials for long-term radiation exposures, to ensure effective radiation shielding and maintaining integrity of materials’ mechanical and thermal properties for future space missions. 1. INTRODUCTION The ionizing radiations in space affecting human operations are of three distinct sources and consist of a variety of energetic particles including ions formed by stripping the electrons from all of the natural elements. The three sources of radiations are associated with different origins identified as those of galactic origin (galactic cosmic rays, GCR), particles produced by the acceleration of solar plasma by strong electromotive forces in the solar surface and acceleration across the transition shock boundary of propagating coronal mass ejecta (solar particles event radiation, SPE), and particles trapped within the confines of the geomagnetic field [1, 2]. SPEs are associated with solar flares which produce intense burst of high energy plasma propagating into the solar system. The two sources of radiation that are especially hazardous for deep space exploration missions are SPEs and GCR. Not only will the crew be exposed to space radiation during the trips in space but also in Moon or Mar’s surface. Mars, unlike the Earth, lacks an intrinsic magnetic field and has a much thinner atmosphere. Therefore, the surface of Mars receives much more radiation from GCR and SPE than the Earth. Human explorers, as well as electronic devices, must be effectively protected from the radiation [1-3]. The high costs of added radiation shielding are a potential limiting factor in deep space missions [4]. Multifunctional materials (for example, structural elements which have good shielding properties) will be common in the optimization process. Such materials will provide adequate radiation shielding, required mechanical and thermal properties, and ease of processing.
The use of in-situ lunar/Martian materials to build shields for inhabitants is not onl
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