Abstract
Long-duration human exploration beyond the low Earth orbit (LEO) mandates development of materials to minimize crew and equipment exposure to the interplanetary radiation environment. The potential for biological damage by the relatively low percentage of high-energy heavy ions in the galactic cosmic ray spectrum far outweigh that due to lighter particles because of their ionizing power and the quality of the resulting biological damage. To avoid paying a penalty due to additional weight, it would be beneficial to develop a multifunctional material as an integral part of a spacecraft structure to provide shielding effectiveness and structural integrity. This paper discusses the development of polyethylene fiber reinforced epoxy matrix structural composites that effectively satisfy both primary requirements.
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Sen, S., Schofield, E., O’Dell, J.S. et al. The development of a multifunctional composite material for use in human space exploration beyond low-earth orbit. JOM 61, 23–31 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-009-0019-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-009-0019-5