Resins can effectively block out cosmic rays

Lighter materials, such as plastic, can help astronauts effectively block harmful radiation rays during space travel.

The findings, published in the American Geophysical Union online journal, "Space Weather," are dated June 12.

A team of researchers at the University of New Hampshire and the Southwest Institute of American Studies have discovered this based on observing the effects of radiation (CRaTER: crater) through the cosmic ray telescope on the ship. US Moon Surveyor (LRO). Plastics can help reduce health risks for those who carry out future missions deep into space.

Aluminum is a key ingredient in spacecraft manufacturing, but the metal's ability to protect people from high-energy cosmic rays is relatively low and can cause transportation costs. The size of the spacecraft is several times higher than that of plastic.

In a statement, lead researcher Cary Zeitlin said: "This is the first study to apply a spatial observation form to confirm whether plastics and other lightweight materials can block the rays. Space shuttle is more efficient than aluminum. "

Zeitlin said that cosmic ray shielding could not completely solve the problem of radioactive contamination in deep space, but would make a clear difference in the effectiveness of different materials.

Plastic-aluminum comparisons were made in experiments in terrestrial laboratories using heavy molecular beams, simulating cosmic rays.

The researchers found that the shielding effect of plastics in space was consistent with what they found from beam experiments.

Researchers use a CRaTER tool to evaluate the amount of radiation from cosmic rays after passing through a material called an equivalent tissue (simulating muscle tissue in humans).

CRaTER observations have validated models and measurements on the ground, which means that lightweight shielding materials can be safely used for long-term missions, providing the structural properties that can withstand the harshness of the universe.