Speaker
Description
Selecting structural radiation shielding materials for deep-space missions requires simultaneous evaluation of the total effective radiation dose to the mission crew as well as critical components, including highly energetic protons, secondary neutrons and secondary gamma radiation, alongside key mechanical parameters and areal densities. This work presents an Ashby-map-based material selection framework derived from Monte Carlo radiation transport simulations across a broad range of metallic alloys, metal matrix composites, and multilayer architectures, evaluated under extreme solar proton event conditions in deep space. The resulting maps provide a systematic comparison of shielding and structural performance across material classes, with particular attention to secondary neutron generation and attenuation in lightweigth materials. The option of using recycled materials represents an additional material class relevant to future sustainable space industry. The framework provides a multi-objective overview beyond conventional single-parameter shielding assessments.