title: Issues in deep space radiation protection.
abstract: The exposures in deep space are largely from the Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) for which there is as yet little biological experience. Mounting evidence indicates that conventional linear energy transfer (LET) defined protection quantities (quality factors) may not be appropriate for GCR ions. The available biological data indicates that aluminum alloy structures may generate inherently unhealthy internal spacecraft environments in the thickness range for space applications. Methods for optimization of spacecraft shielding and the associated role of materials selection are discussed. One material which may prove to be an important radiation protection material is hydrogenated carbon nanofibers.
authors.affiliation: NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Shinn
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Singleterry
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Clowdsley
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Thibeault
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Cheatwood
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schimmerling
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Cucinotta
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Badhwar
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Noor
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Badavi
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Heinbockel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zeitlin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heilbronn
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum; D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003359:Cosmic Radiation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D018499:Linear Energy Transfer; D008954:Models, Biological; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D011853:Radiobiology; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D012984:Software; D019445:Solar Activity; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018531:Spacecraft / Q000295:instrumentation
chemical_list: D000535:Aluminum