Application of scaling methods to foster ground development of active shielding concepts for space exploration. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fry, D.; Madzunkov, S.; Simcic, J.; Hunt, A.W.
• Is Part Of: Acta astronautica. Volume 178(2021)
• Page Start: 296
• Page End: 307
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Space radiation -- Active shielding -- Radiation risk -- SEP -- Galactic Cosmic Rays -- Scaling law -- Universal scaling; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Outer space -- Exploration -- Periodicals; Astronautics; Periodicals; 629.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.08.038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-5765

Abstract

Abstract: Space radiation in the form of Solar Energetic Protons (SEPs) and Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) poses a substantial risk for long-duration space exploration. Active shielding concepts, i.e. shielding a spacecraft with electric and or magnetic fields, has been a topic of interest for more than 50 years. Mass and power requirements have yet to be fulfilled to enable active shielding technology. We present results for a single electric dipole to show the utility of scale-invariance and universal scaling for advancing active shielding concepts. Scattering patterns downstream from the dipole of 2 MeV to 6 MeV electrons and protons show a semi-circular region devoid of incident particles that increases in size with increasing dipole voltage. In particular, results are presented that show how scale-invariant approaches can be leveraged to enable small-scale shields to be built and tested on the ground and then scaled up for in-space use. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Scattering from an electric dipole applied to active radiation shielding. Shielding efficacy is developed and shown to exhibit scale-invariance. Scaling results imply viability as method to enable ground testing of shields.