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Cited by 36Radiation Shielding Materials AnalysisRadiation Therapy and DosimetryFusion materials and technologies

Accelerator-Based Tests of Shielding Effectiveness of Different Materials and Multilayers using High-Energy Light and Heavy Ions

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Giraudo, Martina, Schuy, Christoph, Weber, Uli, Rovituso, Marta, Santin, Giovanni, Norbury, John W., Tracino, Emanuele, Menicucci, Alessandra +4 more·2018·Radiation Research
DOI 10.1667/rr15111.1
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Abstract

The roadmap for space exploration foresees longer journeys and further excursions outside low-Earth orbit as well as the establishment of permanent outposts on other celestial bodies, such as the Moon or Mars. The design of spacecrafts and habitats depends heavily on the mission scenario and must consider the radiation protection properties of the structural components as well as dedicated shielding. In fact, short- and long-term effects caused by exposure to cosmic radiation are now considered among the main health risks of space travel. One of the current strategies is to find multifunctional materials that combine excellent mechanical properties with a high shielding effectiveness to minimize the overall load. In this work, the shielding effectiveness of a wide variety of single and multilayer materials of interest for different mission scenarios has been characterized. In the experimental campaign, reference and innovative materials, as well as simulants of Moon and Mars in situ resources, were irradiated with 1,000 MeV/u 4He, 430 MeV/u 12C and 962–972 MeV/u 56Fe. The results are presented in terms of Bragg curves and dose reduction per unit area density. To isolate the shielding effectiveness only due to nuclear fragmentation, a correction for the energy loss in the material is also considered. These findings indicate that the best shield is lithium hydride, which performs even better than polyethylene. However, the technical feasibility of shielding needs to be investigated. The classification of all materials in terms of shielding effectiveness is not influenced by the ion species, but the value changes dramatically depending on the beam energy. The output of this investigation represents a useful database for benchmarking Monte Carlo and deterministic transport codes used for space radiation transport calculations. These findings also contribute to recommendations for optimizing the design of space vessels and habitats in different radiation environments.

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  • ESA has been supporting theoretical and experimental studies on space radiation shielding (ROSSINI), aiming at dose reduction through optimization of structure configuration and research into innovative materials.

    “In this framework, ESA has been supporting theoretical and experimental studies on space radiation shielding (ROSSINI)41, aiming at dose reduction through optimization of structure configuration and research into innovative materials.”

    From Towards sustainable human space exploration—priorities for radiation research to quantify and mitigate radiation risks (2023) · cites this paper as [41]

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Authors
Giraudo, M., Schuy, C., Weber, U., Rovituso, M., Santin, G., Norbury, J. W., Tracino, E., Menicucci, A., Bocchini, L., Lobascio, C., Durante, M., & Tessa, C. L.
Affiliations
  • Thales Alenia Space, Turin, Italy
  • GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research (DE)
  • Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (IT)
  • European Space Agency (FR)
  • NASA Langley Research, Hampton, Virginia
  • Alter Elettronica s.r.l., Casale Monferrato, Italy
  • Delft University of Technology (NL)
Corresponding author
Tessa, Chiara La
ORCID
Venue
Radiation Research
Publisher
Radiation Research Society
Published
2018-08-20
Volume
190
Issue
5
Pages
526
ISSN
0033-7587 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1667/rr15111.1
OpenAlex
W2888706505
Cited by
36
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1
FWCI
1.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.bioone.org/page/resources/researchers/rights_and_permissions (tdm)
Locations
  • Radiation Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Iris (University of Trento) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Repository (Delft University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • European Space Agency
  • National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory
  • Brookhaven National Laboratory
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Radiation Shielding Materials Analysis
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Fusion materials and technologies
Keywords
radiation shielding, shielding effectiveness, multilayer materials, space radiation, cosmic rays, heavy ions, helium ions, carbon ions, iron ions, lithium hydride, polyethylene, Bragg curve, nuclear fragmentation, energy loss correction
MeSH terms
Cosmic Radiation, Humans, Light, Radiation Protection, Space Flight

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