Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #30954: Protecting Spacecraft: Studying Radiation Environments in High Shielding Conditions

Radiation in space is one of the most formidable challenges for long-duration missions. Understanding how it interacts with spacecraft materials, especially those with high shielding mass, is critical for ensuring astronaut safety and the longevity of onboard electronics. The experiment titled "Spacecraft Single Event Environments at High Shielding Mass" takes a deep dive into this topic from the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS).

Led by Dr. Steven Koontz from NASA’s Johnson Space Center, this study focuses on measuring single event environments—instances where a high-energy particle from space radiation impacts a spacecraft component, potentially disrupting its function. These disruptions, called single event effects (SEEs), can cause anything from minor data errors to full system failures.

The ISS offers a valuable platform for this investigation due to its exposure to space radiation and its ability to carry detectors in high-shielded locations similar to those in interplanetary vehicles. The goal is to measure and model how these energetic particles behave when they pass through materials like aluminum, composites, and other spacecraft-relevant materials.

The research conducted over multiple ISS expeditions (31/32 through 41/42) uses dosimeters and particle detectors placed within modules with varying degrees of shielding. Data collected helps engineers and scientists predict how radiation will affect different spacecraft designs and how to better shield future habitats and instruments.

The outcomes of this experiment feed into the development of radiation-hardened electronics, optimal shielding strategies, and predictive models that enhance mission planning for deep space exploration, such as lunar bases or Mars missions.

Radiation is invisible and silent, but in the vacuum of space, its presence is constant and powerful. Studies like this provide essential knowledge for protecting both hardware and human life, ensuring that as we push the boundaries of exploration, we do so safely and sustainably.

Join the Agnirva Space Internship Program

Get certified with over 100 hours of immersive, self-paced learning in astronomy, cosmology, space technology, and climate science through the Agnirva Space Internship Program. Join, complete virtual projects, and earn a digital certificate to showcase your space fluency in interviews, resumes, and beyond.