Novel shielding materials for space and air travel

Vana, N.; Hajek, Michael; Berger, Thomas; Fugger, M.; Hofmann, P.

doi:10.1093/rpd/nci670

Cited by 21 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In fact, computer models (such as the HZETRN used by NASA or Geant4 used by ESA), accelerator and flight measurements, clearly show that light, highly hydrogenated materials provide the best protection against space radiation [104][105][106][107][108] . Liquid hydrogen should display the maximum performance as shield material.…”

Section: Shieldingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heavy ion carcinogenesis and human space exploration

Durante¹,

Cucinotta²

2008

Nat Rev Cancer

511

324

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Prior to the human exploration of Mars or long duration stays on the Earth's moon, the risk of cancer and other diseases from space radiation must be accurately estimated and mitigated. Space radiation, comprised of energetic protons and heavy nuclei, has been show to produce distinct biological damage compared to radiation on Earth, leading to large uncertainties in the projection of cancer and other health risks, while obscuring evaluation of the effectiveness of possible countermeasures. Here, we describe how research in cancer radiobiology can support human missions to Mars and other planets. Introduction:

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Section: Shieldingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heavy ion carcinogenesis and human space exploration

Durante¹,

Cucinotta²

2008

Nat Rev Cancer

511

324

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“…Basic physics, mathematical models, and groundbased or flight measurements clearly show that light, highly hydrogenated materials provide the best protection against space radiation (Wilson et al 1995(Wilson et al , 1997Durante 2002;Miller et al 2003;Shavers et al 2004;Durante et al 2005;Zeitlin et al 2005Zeitlin et al , 2006Guetersloh et al 2006;Vana et al 2006). However, several materials have to be used in the construction of spacecrafts, exploration vehicles, and habitat modules (Piras et al 2006;Cougnet et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The space radiation shielding properties of these materials are, however, poorly known. It is therefore important to test the radiation response of these new materials, as has been recently done with other newly developed polymers (Vana et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accelerator-Based Tests of Radiation Shielding Properties of Materials Used in Human Space Infrastructures

Lobascio¹,

Briccarello²,

Destefanis³

et al. 2008

Health Physics

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Shielding is the only practical countermeasure for the exposure to cosmic radiation during space travel. It is well known that light, hydrogenated materials, such as water and polyethylene, provide the best shielding against space radiation. Kevlar and Nextel are two materials of great interest for spacecraft shielding because of their known ability to protect human space infrastructures from meteoroids and debris. We measured the response to simulated heavy-ion cosmic radiation of these shielding materials and compared it to polyethylene, Lucite (PMMA), and aluminum. As proxy to galactic nuclei we used 1 GeV n iron or titanium ions. Both physics and biology tests were performed. The results show that Kevlar, which is rich in carbon atoms (about 50% in number), is an excellent space radiation shielding material. Physics tests show that its effectiveness is close (80-90%) to that of polyethylene, and biology data suggest that it can reduce the chromosomal damage more efficiently than PMMA. Nextel is less efficient as a radiation shield, and the expected reduction on dose is roughly half that provided by the same mass of polyethylene. Both Kevlar and Nextel are more effective than aluminum in the attenuation of heavy-ion dose.

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“…To date, different methods for physical shielding of spacecrafts [5] as well as increasing biological radioresistance using radioprotectors [6] or even adaptive response-induced radioresistance after exposure to low level chronic space radiation [7] have been proposed to solve the problem of intense radiation in the space environment. Limitations of physical shielding such as extremely high cost of transporting heavy structures into space and their incapability to provide adequate shielding against heavy ions at an appropriate thickness [6], prompt us to explore biological methods for increasing radioresistance during space missions.…”

Section: Radiation As a Barrier For Deep Space Missionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Space radiobiology and the new era of induced radioresistance: Should traditional concepts be moved to science history museums?

Mortazavi

2013

THC

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Energetic solar particle events (SPE) which are among the main sources of ionizing radiation can be life threatening to astronauts who are not adequately protected. To date, physical shielding of spacecrafts and inducing radioresistance by using radioprotectors have been proposed by different investigators. Mortazavi et al. have previously reported that screening of the candidates of long-term space missions by conducting Ground-based in vitro adaptive response studies before any mission identifies the individuals who respond well to low levels of ionizing radiation and reveal high magnitudes of radioadaptive response. On the other hand, Mortazavi et al. have recently showed that radiofrequency-induced adaptive response can be used as a method for decreasing the risk of infection caused by immunosuppression during deep space missions. Furthermore, over the past years the radioresistance induced by a wide variety of radioprotectors has been studied. According to classical radiobiology, chemical radioprotective agents must be administered before irradiation or at the time of irradiation, to increase the mean survival rate of the exposed individuals. A revolution in this paradigm was started in 2010, when investigators reported that a diet supplemented with antioxidants administered starting 24 h after total-body irradiation is more effective than if given soon after the exposure (radiation mitigation). This finding along with the above mentioned interventions open new horizons in inducing biological radioresistance against unpredictable high levels of radiation due to solar particle events. This wide time window indeed enables astronauts to firstly evaluate their radiation doses before making any decision on the type of intervention. As major solar particle events last for hours, astronauts will be able to consult distinguished radiation biologists via satellite telecommunication before choosing any medical intervention.

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Novel shielding materials for space and air travel

Cited by 21 publications

References 8 publications

Heavy ion carcinogenesis and human space exploration

Heavy ion carcinogenesis and human space exploration

Accelerator-Based Tests of Radiation Shielding Properties of Materials Used in Human Space Infrastructures

Space radiobiology and the new era of induced radioresistance: Should traditional concepts be moved to science history museums?

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