Implications of outer-zone radiations on operations in the geostationary region utilizing the AE4 environmental model

Abstract

The radiation exposure in the region of geostationary orbits is examined in search for means of optimizing human performance. It is found that the use of slightly inclined circular orbits is one means by which exposure and spacesuit thickness requirements can be reduced. Another effective technique is to limit the extravehicular activity to those days when the short term fluctuations result in low exposure. Space-suit shielding approaching 1/2 sq cm or less may be possible by utilizing work stoppages and inclined orbits. If aluminum and other low-atomic-number materials are used to construct the habitat, then excessive wall thicknesses are required. If special bremsstrahlung shielding is used, then the habitat shield may be reduced to as low as 2 g/sq cm. Numerous tables and graphs are presented for future analysis of dose in the geostationary region