Radiation Shielding

Layered Shielding Design for the FAST-1 Spaceship

This advanced shielding design combines robust structural integrity with optimized radiation protection. The alloy blend used for the outer layer incorporates cutting-edge materials tailored for strength, thermal resistance, and radiation mitigation. We have also included specifically developed radiation shielding windows.

1. Outer Layer: Impact and Thermal Shield (Structural Armor)

Material: A custom alloy blend designed for maximum durability and thermal resistance:

  • Inconel 718: High strength and corrosion resistance.
  • Tungsten Carbide (WC): Extreme hardness and density for impact resistance.
  • Tantalum Hafnium Carbide (Ta₄HfC₅): Exceptional heat resistance (~4,000°C / ~7,232°F).
  • Boron Carbide (B₄C): Lightweight and highly effective at neutron absorption.
  • Titanium Diboride (TiB₂): Enhances hardness, wear resistance and radiation attenuation.
  • Graphene and Carbon-Carbon: Adds tensile strength, lightweight properties, and resistance to thermal shock.

Thermal Properties:

  • Maximum Heat Resistance: ~4,000°C (~7,232°F), ensuring survivability in extreme heat scenarios such as atmospheric re-entry.
  • Maximum Cold Resistance: -250°C (-418°F) allowing operation in deep-space conditions.

Purpose:

  • Protects against micrometeoroid impacts in regions with severe debris density.
  • Provides the first layer of radiation attenuation and thermal resistance.
  • Withstands extreme environmental fluctuations in space.

Thickness:

  • From 3-3.5 cm to handle severe debris and maintain exceptional structural resilience.

Key Properties:

  • High density and strength for impact resistance.
  • Moderate attenuation of gamma rays and deflection of charged particles.

2. Middle Layer: Radiation Absorption and Neutron Moderation

Material: Hydrogen-Rich Polymer and Boron-Infused Polyethylene.

  • Polyethylene’s hydrogen-rich structure is ideal for absorbing neutrons and high-energy protons.
  • Boron infusion enhances neutron absorption and reduces secondary radiation.

Purpose:

  • Primary defense against solar particle events (SPEs), galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), and secondary neutrons.
  • Ensures protection even during severe radiation exposure and solar flare activity.

Thickness:

  • From 11-12 cm to account for severe and prolonged radiation environments.

Key Properties:

  • Lightweight and highly effective against neutrons and high-energy protons.
  • Critical for long-term human survivability in high-radiation regions.

3. Inner Layer: Secondary Radiation Reduction and Structural Integrity

Material:

  • Graphene-Enhanced Carbon-Carbon Composite.

Purpose:

  • To capture and absorb the secondary radiation penetrating the middle layer.
  • Adds structural stability while minimizing overall mass.

Thickness:

  • Maintained at 1 cm.

Key Properties:

  • Lightweight, durable, and non-metallic, reducing secondary radiation production.

4. Interior Liner: Localized Radiation Shielding

Materials:

  • Hydrogenated Graphene Foam: Lightweight and excellent for absorbing stray radiation.

Thickness:

  • 5 cm.
  • Water Jackets: Dual-purpose for water storage and additional radiation protection.

Thickness:

  • 5 cm.

Combination Use:

  • Both materials are used synergistically, leveraging their complementary properties to enhance radiation shielding while providing water storage for the WWRS.

Purpose:

  • Acts as a localized shield near crew habitats and critical systems.
  • Provides redundancy in radiation protection and storage functionality.

5. Interior Finishing Layer: Crew Comfort and Added Shielding

Material: Soft Polyethylene Rubber.

Purpose:

  • Adds an additional layer of radiation protection, even if minimal, for stray particles.
  • Improves crew comfort by creating a soft and cozy interior.

Thickness:

  • 5 cm.
  • Additional Graphen foam structure could be used under the finishing layer.

Key Properties:

  • Lightweight, insulation, as well as crew friendly.

6. Windows: Transparent Radiation and Impact Shielding

Material:

  • Outer Layer: Transparent aluminum (ALON – Aluminum Oxynitride).
  • Filler Section: Transparent polyurethane for added radiation absorption and overall impact dampening.
  • Inner Layer: Transparent aluminum.

Purpose:

  • Provides visibility with high impact and radiation resistance.
  • Protects against solar particle events, GCRs, and secondary radiation.

Thermal Properties:

  • Maximum Heat Resistance: ~2,100°C (~3,812°F).
  • Maximum Cold Resistance: -200°C (-328°F)

Thickness:

  • Outer Transparent Aluminum:5 cm.
  • Polyurethane Filler Section: 1 cm.
  • Inner Transparent Aluminum:5 cm.

Key Properties:

  • High durability and radiation attenuation while maintaining optical transparency.
  • Allows for a much larger single window which increases unobstructed viewing area.

Estimated Shielding Performance

  1. Solar Particle Events (SPEs):
  • Example: High-energy protons from solar flares.
  • Middle and window layers absorb >95% of these particles.
  1. Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs):
  • Example: High-energy iron nuclei from distant supernovae.
  • Layered shielding reduces dose equivalent by ~60%, with additional attenuation from electromagnetic fields.
  1. Secondary Neutron Radiation:
  • Example: Neutrons generated when GCRs interact with heavy nuclei.
  • Boron-infused polymers and windows effectively moderate and absorb these particles.

Weight Considerations

  1. Outer Layer (Custom Alloy Blend):
  • Density ~8.5 g/cm³; thickness ~3.5 cm.
  • Weight: ~25 pounds/square foot.
  1. Middle Layer (Polyethylene/Boron-Infused Polymer):
  • Density ~1 g/cm³; thickness ~11 cm.
  • Weight: ~10 pounds/square foot.
  1. Inner Layer (Graphene Composite):
  • Density ~2 g/cm³; thickness ~1 cm.
  • Weight: ~1.8 pounds/square foot.
  1. Interior Liner:
  • Hydrogenated Graphene Foam: ~0.6 pounds/square foot.
  • Water Jackets: ~1.5 pounds/square foot.
  1. Interior Finishing Layer:
  • ~0.3 pounds/square foot.
  1. Windows (Transparent Layers):
  • Transparent Aluminum (2 layers): Density ~3.7 g/cm³; total thickness 5 cm.
  • Polyurethane Filler Section: Density ~1.2 g/cm³; thickness 1 cm.
  • Total Weight: ~9 pounds/square foot.

Total Weight:

  • ~47 pounds/square foot (includes windows).

Additional Enhancements

  1. Dynamic Shielding:
  • Superconducting Electromagnetic Field Technology integrated into the spaceship and stations provides almost complete radiation protection.
  • Layered shielding serves as a backup, ensuring redundancy for unforeseen failures or extreme environments.
  1. Modular Design:
  • Shielding panels are modular and adaptable for mission-specific radiation levels.
  • Example: Thicker panels for Mars’ orbit or thinner panels for near-Earth missions.
  1. Nanotechnology:
  • Incorporates graphene-infused polyethylene and boron nitride nanotubes for an ultra-lightweight, high-performance shielding.
  • These materials reduce weight while enhancing radiation absorption, making them ideal for space applications.