European Space Radiation Shielding Workshop 2026

17 Jun 2026, 09:00 → 18 Jun 2026, 17:30 Europe/Amsterdam

ESCAPE Tennis Hall (ESA / ESTEC)

Giovanni Santin (ESA), Julien Eck

Scope

Radiation shielding is essential to protect sensitive space hardware from the space environment, especially electronics and electrical systems, as well as for protection of crew for human spaceflight. Its optimisation is critical for all space systems, and is considered to be one of the biggest challenges for future exploration of the Moon and Mars. 

This short workshop aims to map the current state of the art in Europe in the field of radiation shielding for space applications, and to define areas for future research. This will include traditional approaches to radiation shielding as well novel shielding techniques which could be enabling technologies for future missions. 

Experts working in non-space domain are also very welcome to attend. 

 

Workshop format

The format will be quite flexible, consisting of a combination of key note lectures, presentations, short pitches and posters. Space will also be available for product/company display if required. There will be sufficient time for discussion and networking during the breaks. The workshop is in-person only.

 

 

TEC-E - RADSHIED 2026 workshop privacy notice - DPNR 3254 v1.0.pdf

Wednesday 17 June

09:00 Welcome

1 Opening Session

Speaker: Petteri Nieminen (ESA)

2 Introduction

Speakers: Dr Giovanni Santin (ESA), Julien Eck

RADSHIELD 2026 Intro ESA - Shielding effectiveness and materials v1.00.pdf

RADSHIELD 2026 Intro ESTEC logistics and rules v01.02.pptx

RADSHIELD 2026 Wrap up v01.03.pptx

Materials Development: Session 1

3 Design and Manufacture of Lightweight Radiation‑Shielding Layers via Cold Spray and Ceramic/Metal‑Filled Epoxy Processing

The ESA funded project (Contract No. 4000147841/25/NL/KML) aims to design, manufacture, and validate innovative lightweight radiation shielding materials for the protection of electronic components onboard spacecraft. Reducing mass while maintaining effective shielding performance remains a key challenge for future space systems.
A promising strategy investigated in this work is the graded Z shielding concept, which combines materials with low and high atomic numbers to optimize particle attenuation across a broad radiation spectrum. Additive manufacturing approaches, and in particular cold spray deposition combined with ceramic or metallic filled epoxy resin layers, enable precise control of material composition, architecture, and interface properties. Multilayer composite systems based on W, Bi₂O₃, and B₄C, integrated with particle loaded polymer matrices, are being developed to tailor shielding performance for specific orbital radiation environments and localized spacecraft protection.
In addition to radiation attenuation, these composite materials must withstand harsh space environments, including UV exposure, particle irradiation, extreme thermal cycling, atomic oxygen erosion, and humidity. The incorporation of ceramic or metallic fillers within the epoxy matrix is expected to enhance thermal stability, mechanical robustness, and resistance to cracking or delamination, while maintaining manufacturability and adhesion between layers. To assess these aspects, a comprehensive experimental campaign is being conducted, including radiation ageing, thermal cycling, outgassing analysis, tensile strength and adhesion testing, as well as thermal conductivity measurements.
The primary objective of this activity is to achieve Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 for a radiation shielding solution applicable to LEO, MEO, and GEO missions. This presentation will introduce the multilayer modeling and design approach, describe the first manufacturing trials of composite multilayers using cold spray deposition and charged epoxy application, and report initial microstructural and mechanical characterization results. Finally, the forthcoming work plan will be outlined, including radiation shielding efficiency and durability testing at both coupon and engineering model levels.

Speakers: Dr Florin Duminica (CRM Group), Dr Neophytos Messios (BIRA-IASB), Dr Sebastien Le Craz (CRM Group)

Radshield_Florin_Duminica_Lightweight radiation shielding materials.pptx

4 Geopolymer Radiation Armor as Alternative to Leader Solutions (GRAALS)

The space radiation environment consists of highly energetic particles capable of penetrating satellites and causing both transient malfunctions and long term degradation. In this hostile environment, a variety of materials are used to mitigate the effects of radiation. Among these, some legacy materials are still widely used for radiation shielding in satellites designed by the ThalesAlenia Space group.
The introduction of new materials in the space sector will help address obsolescence issues and anticipate the tightening of European regulations restricting the use of certain substances.
However, to be implemented within spacecraft architectures, these materials must be technically and economically viable and must ensure:
• A significantly improved mass to performance ratio compared with the reference material (radiation attenuation, secondary radiation management),
• The same ease of integration during satellite manufacturing,
• Secure sourcing, preferably in France or at least within Europe,
• Safe handling for operators,
• Successful completion of pre qualification tests.
Based on concrete use cases involving metals, as well as a silicone and an epoxy resin—where radiation shielding is critical or even essential for the long term operability of the satellite— RIDERPLAST and IRCER, in collaboration with ThalesAlenia Space have developed a innovative research approach combining simulation and,funded through an ESA Discovery Contract.
By combining simulation, shaping processes and targeted validation testing, four alternative materials, including a high attenuation geopolymer incorporating high Z elements have been developed.
One of these case studies concerns the encapsulation polymer layer applied to embarked sensittive electronics.
To date, the approach has enabled the development and validation of an alternative geopolymer solution that meets the established criteria.
The purpose of this communication is to share the approach and the results to the community attending RadShield 2026.

Speakers: Dr Marc Kuntz (RiderPlast), Mathys Peterschmitt (Thales Alenia Space), Pierre Jouanne (Thales Alenia Space), Prof. Sylvie Rossignol (IRCER)

Radshield2026-GRAALS-TAS-IRCER-RIDERPLAST.pptx

5 Metal Coated Fibres for Space Radiation Shielding in Composites

Bismuth coated fibres with coating contents of up to 80 wt% provide a highly effective approach to introducing high Z radiation shielding into lightweight material systems. The fibres are available as industrially processable yarns and woven textiles, enabling integration into high performance composite architectures using established manufacturing routes. Compared to conventional aluminium shielding, the high bismuth content enables significantly improved attenuation per areal mass, making these materials particularly relevant for weight critical space systems such as small satellites, electronics enclosures, and exploration platforms.
To validate shielding performance under real mission conditions, bismuth coated fibre materials are currently being prepared for an in orbit demonstration mission in cooperation with the Spanish company LOFITH. The payload combines the shielding material with radiation sensors, strain gauges, and thermocouples to directly correlate radiation attenuation with structural and thermal behaviour, providing in space data and contributing to early space heritage. This work forms part of a broader development towards fibre based graded Z shielding concepts, with ongoing efforts to expand the portfolio toward additional high Z materials - supporting future optimization of multi layer and composite shielding solutions.

Speakers: Mr Severin Luhr (FibreCoat GmbH), Felix Schmidt (Fibrecoat GmbH)

260617_radshieldPresentation_FibreCoat.pdf

11:05 Coffee Break

Materials Development: Session 2

6 A hydrogen-rich layered core for multifunctional spacecraft sandwich panels: manufacturing feasibility

Spacecraft structural panels can fulfil multiple functions simultaneously. The hollow interior of conventional aluminium honeycomb cores represents a considerable untapped volume that could accommodate materials serving additional roles. The manufacturing feasibility of a multifunctional sandwich concept exploiting this principle is investigated here, in which the honeycomb core is replaced by a layered architecture accommodated within the same structural volume, consisting of polyetherimide (PEI) interlayers and Kevlar® fabric impregnated with epoxy resin, bonded between CFRP face sheets. The materials were selected for their low density, hydrogen-rich composition, and compatibility with standard composite processing, combining load-bearing capability with enhanced shielding performance against protons, heavier ions, and fast neutrons. Manufactured specimens demonstrate that the architecture is realisable using established methods, with particular attention to the process considerations for achieving adequate interfacial bonding within the modified sandwich stack.

Speaker: Tetiana Pittsyk (TU Braunschweig, IMA)

Radshield_Pittsyk.pdf

7 Accelerator testing of lightweight metal-composite radiation shieldings designed for electronic components onboard GEO satellites

As a response to an ESA call a contracted R&D activity was done with ambition to develop new efficient, lightweight radiation shielding solution for electronic components on GEO telecommunication satellites. Based on physical understanding of interactions of space radiations with different target materials an optimized combination of low and high Z material composite structure was developed. For optimization we have used Geant4, HZETRN2015 and Shieldose2 transport codes. During the implementation phase, composite plates with the specified material compositions were fabricated, along with several electronic circuits designed to facilitate the analysis of operational characteristics at both the component and system levels under radiation-exposed conditions. Our novel shielding materials were tested for total ionizing dose reduction capabilities using electrons from a LINAC electron accelerator. For the proton irradiation tests, access was available only to infrastructure providing monoenergetic beams, through the RADNEXT program. Consequently, Single Event Effect (SEE) testing was carried out using a custom-designed electronic system specifically developed for this purpose. In the framework of the RADNEXT program we also have done LET efficiency test of our shieldings using 120 MeV protons at the Holland Proton Therapeutic Center (HollnadPTC) using etched track detectors. During the test program we identified some disturbance origin from the test setup but still, measurements seem to show quite a good agreement with the model calculations.

Speaker: István Csige (HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research)

Csige et al - RADSHIELD-2026.pptx

8 Tailored Ceramic Metal Matrix Composites for Shielding and Multifunctional Space Structures

The increasing demand for lightweight, multifunctional spacecraft structures requires materials that can simultaneously address radiation-shielding, mechanical and thermal requirements. This presentation introduces a novel aluminum-based metal matrix composite (MMC) technology platform capable of producing highly customized structural materials engineered for mission-specific requirements.

By selecting and spatially tailored reinforcement structure phases such as boron carbide, doping ceramic particles, and other engineered constituents, the resulting MMCs can be optimized for enhanced neutron and ionizing radiation shielding, impact resistance against micrometeoroids and orbital debris, with improved thermal management, and controlled electrical conductivity as the result of the continuous aluminum matrix.

Unlike conventional monolithic alloys or standardized composite systems, the presented platform allows the simultaneous optimization of multiple performance parameters within a single material system. The resulting composites exhibit attractive combination of lightweight construction, high specific stiffness and ductility, thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity, low thermal expansion, and excellent machinability using electrical discharge machining (EDM), enabling the fabrication of complex geometries and integrated multifunctional components.

Speaker: Mr Szabolcs Bella (Aedus Space Ltd.)

AEDUS presentation_RADSHIELD_2026.pdf

9 Symade.ai: a physics-informed computer-implemented method for radiation shielding materials discovery

Radiation shielding is a key enabler for robust and adaptable systems in current commercial and future exploration missions. Increasing requirements for performance, mass efficiency, and reliability across space radiation environments, from LEO and GEO to deep space and planetary surfaces, are driving the development of advanced materials.
At EmTDLab, a deep-tech advanced materials company, we have developed a proprietary computational materials discovery platform, Symade.ai (Systematic Materials Discovery Engine), aimed at accelerating the identification and optimisation of material compositions for radiation shielding applications in both single and multilayer configurations. The platform combines a core evolutionary algorithm that accelerates the screening of thousands of material compositions in hours, with a physics-informed framework embedding radiation-matter interaction models. The core engine is aided with machine learning acceleration surrogates that enable a full thermodynamic prediction of materials stability, density, and elastic properties. This enables predictive evaluation of novel material response across hundreds of thousands of candidate compositions, including metal alloys, ceramics, and polymers. Materials are evaluated against multi-objective criteria, including radiation shielding performance, mechanical properties, and areal density constraints. In multilayer configurations, the optimisation is extended to hybrid architectures, enabling the combination of newly identified materials with existing industry-standard solutions. Compared to traditional experimental or incremental approaches, Symade.ai enables systematic, high-throughput screening, supporting the identification of promising materials candidates for experimental validation.

Symade.ai has enabled the identification of novel metal alloy compositions that simultaneously achieve significant radiation dose reduction compared to aluminium over representative 6-year Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions while maintaining mechanical strength. These results are further supported by GEANT4 simulations, validating the predictive capability of the platform. The resulting performance gains are particularly relevant for mass-constrained configurations such as shield-on-chip, where minimising thickness while maximising attenuation is critical. In addition, three compositions identified by Symade.ai have been successfully manufactured, confirming that the platform identifies materials that are both computationally optimised and experimentally realisable.
SYMADE.ai is a validated ICME (Integrated Computation Materials Engineer) platform developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). Ongoing developments extend the framework to additional space environments (e.g., GEO, Moon, Deep Space) and degradation mechanisms, such as atomic oxygen exposure and saline corrosion, further supporting the design of robust, multifunctional materials for future exploration missions.

Speaker: Chiara D'Orazio (EmTDLab Space Division)

CDorazio_EmTDLab_RADSHIELD.pptx

13:00 Lunch Break

10 Keynote: Exploration Science and Radiation

The ESA Exploration programme, Exploration Science and Radiation

Speakers: Angelique Van Ombergen (Angelique.van.ombergen@esa.int), Piers Jiggens (ESA/ESTEC)

ESA_HRE_ExplorationScience_17June2026.pptx

Human Spaceflight and Exploration: Session 1

11 EGIS: Progress Towards Active Plasma-Based Radiation Shielding for Human Space Exploration

Future human exploration missions beyond Low Earth Orbit will expose astronauts to elevated radiation risks from Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) and Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) events. Conventional passive shielding becomes increasingly mass-prohibitive for long-duration missions, motivating investigation of active shielding approaches.

The ESA's AEGIS (Active Electromagnetically Generated Inductive Shield) GSTP project is assessing the feasibility of using artificially generated mini-magnetospheres as a realistic active radiation mitigation system. Unlike traditional magnetic shielding concepts that rely solely on direct particle deflection, AEGIS exploits plasma processes generated when the solar wind interacts with a local magnetic field. These interactions can produce collisionless shocks, electrostatic barriers and plasma turbulence that may enhance the scattering of energetic particles.

“Improved understanding of these underlying physical mechanisms provides a pathway towards the deliberate engineering and optimisation of plasma structures for active radiation mitigation.

A major challenge in assessing the effectiveness of such systems is the wide range of physical scales involved. Numerical modelling requires simultaneous treatment of kinetic plasma processes and the transport of energetic particles over many orders of magnitude in energy and spatial scale. Current Particle-in-Cell (PIC) simulation studies have demonstrated both the complexity of the problem and the limitations of existing computational approaches for directly modelling operational shielding scenarios.

To address these challenges, the project is developing complementary analytical models describing the interaction of energetic ions with kinetic-scale electric fields and turbulent plasma structures. These models are being used to investigate cumulative small-angle scattering processes and to establish scaling relationships relevant to radiation mitigation performance.

Experimental studies at the University of Oxford are aimed at providing laboratory measurements of collisionless plasma structures and shock-related phenomena relevant to mini-magnetosphere formation. These experiments offer an important route for validating theoretical predictions and informing future simulation efforts.

This paper presents an update on the AEGIS project, including progress in analytical modelling, numerical simulations and laboratory experiments, and discusses the implications for active radiation shielding systems for future lunar and deep-space missions. Particular attention is given to SEP energies most relevant to crew exposure during extreme solar particle events.

Speaker: Ruth Bamford (STFC RAL Space)

Bamford_AEGIS_RADSHIELD2026shorter.pdf

Bamford_AEGIS_RADSHIELD2026shorter.pptx

12 Extrusion additive manufacturing of water-clay systems for radiation shielding on Mars

The development of infrastructure on Mars is essential in future crewed missions, where ISRU will play a key role in sustainable sourcing. Here, we examine the feasibility and efficiency of robotic construction via extrusion additive manufacturing (eAM) using site-specific Mars regolith simulants. We simulate Martian atmosphere conditions and develop an eAM process that works therein. A Martian habitat built with these means could be a resource-efficient way to attenuate radiation.

The use of regolith for radiation shielding purposes has been investigated [1–3]; eAM however can produce green bodies with clay-water matrices that remain frozen under the right conditions, providing higher densities and structural integrity with tensile and compressive strengths similar to those of concrete on Earth. Additionally, clay slurries are effective absorbers of thermal neutrons, with increased performance given a higher water content [4], whereas dry Martian regolith alone can increase neutron exposure by secondary radiation production [5]. This project proposes the development of water-clay systems in different phase conditions (wet, icy, dry) to investigate the mechanical and radiation shielding properties of materials produced via eAM. We are specifically examining the porosity and heterogeneity in our samples arising from degassing and ice crystal accumulation during printing.

[1] Kim MH, Thibeault SA, Wilson JW, Heilbronn L, Kiefer RL, Weakley JA et al. Radiation protection using Martian surface materials in human exploration of Mars. Physica Medica 2001;17:81–3.

[2] Llamas HJ, Aplin KL, Berthoud L. Effectiveness of Martian regolith as a radiation shield. Planetary and Space Science 2022;218:105517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2022.105517.

[3] Meurisse A, Cazzaniga C, Frost C, Barnes A, Makaya A, Sperl M. Neutron radiation shielding with sintered lunar regolith. Radiation Measurements 2020;132:106247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2020.106247.

[4] Yoshikawa E, Komine H, Saito Y, Goto S, Narushima S, Arai Y et al. Radiation-shielding properties of heavy bentonite-based slurry for the decommissioning of the Fukushima First Nuclear Power Plant. Geo-Chicago 2016. 2016;269(269 GSP). https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784480120.031.

[5] Röstel L, et al. Subsurface Radiation Environment of Mars and Its Implication for Shielding Protection of Future Habitats. Journal of Geophysical Research 2020. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JE006246.

Speaker: Marc Littkopf (TU Berlin)

RadShield26_Littkopf_ml2.pdf

13 Thales Alenia Space’s activities on Radiation Shielding Solutions for Human Spaceflight

The development and study of radiation protection shielding solutions are essential technologies for manned exploration missions beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO). As astronauts venture further into deep space, they encounter increased exposure to space radiation, which presents significant health risks.
Thales Alenia Space (TAS) is actively engaged in multiple projects and studies focused on radiation shielding technologies for human space exploration. TAS's involvement primarily centers on its system engineering expertise, innovative shielding materials and solutions, advanced Monte Carlo simulations, and its role as a potential user of these technologies, given its leadership in orbital infrastructure for human spaceflight.
This talk aims to provide an overview of current TAS-I activities in space radiation shielding solutions and research for manned missions beyond LEO, with a particular focus on Moon exploration scenarios.

Speaker: Luca Bocchini (Thales Alenia Space)

RADSHIELD_June206_Thales Alenia Space’s activities on Radiation Shielding Solutions for Human Spaceflight.pdf

14 Radiation Protection for Martian Habitats Using Water Ice in Inflatable Structure

Robust, lightweight, and resource efficient radiation shielding is necessary for long duration missions to Mars to protect astronauts from galactic cosmic rays and solar particle events. This research explores the possibility of using water ice as a primary shielding material integrated into an inflatable structure. Ice offers benefits, such as the potential for in-situ resource utilization and reduced secondary particle production. Inflatable structures then minimize launch mass by using lightweight flexible materials. The study evaluates membrane materials and configurations to identify combinations that optimise shielding performance and satisfy mission requirements.

To assess these concepts, a custom radiation transport simulation was created using the OpenGate Monte Carlo simulation tools. This simulation models particle attenuation over different shield compositions and ice thicknesses. Preliminary results indicate that ice has the potential to make use of local resources, form a solid structure, and reduce equivalent dose rates up 90%. The performance of the shield is also influenced by the composition and thickness of the shield membrane. This approach, including structural design, material selection, and computational modelling, adds to the growing body of research on extraterrestrial radiation protection techniques.

Speaker: Pam Graham (Space Oasis Delft)

Space Oasis Delft III - ESTEC.pptx

15:45 Coffee Break

Human Spaceflight and Exploration: Session 2

15 Multifunctional composites for space radiation shielding

The Italian Aerospace Research Centre is developing a functionalized, multilayer composite to mitigate lunar radiation exposure while meeting long-term habitation structural needs. Space radiation is the principal health risk for astronauts on extended missions, dominated beyond Earth’s magnetic field by Solar Particle Events (SPEs) and Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs). Shielding efficiency improves as atomic number decreases and charge-to-mass ratio increases, making hydrogen most effective; thus hydrogen-rich polymers are preferred. Polyethylene (C₂H₄)ₙ is a promising candidate, and Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabrics serve as the polymer matrix to endure lunar temperatures up to 120 °C. To boost GCR attenuation, boron nitride (BN) microparticles were added. A manufacturing process integrates UHMWPE fabrics with Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) films to form multilayer structures. Mechanical characterization focused on interlaminar shear strength, with extensive thermal and thermo-mechanical analyses and preliminary radiation-shielding assessments to validate performance.

Speaker: Ruggero Volponi (CIRA Italian Aerospace Research Centre)

RADSHIELD 2026 Volponi.pptx

16 From Metals to Multilayer Composites: A Material Comparison for Deep-Space Radiation Shielding

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.

Speaker: Christoph Frühwirth (Technical University Leoben)

Ashby_Map_RADSHIELD26.pdf

17 Evaluating the Radiation Shielding Capabilities and Constraints of Microbial Melanin: Evidence from Heavy Ion and X-ray Experiments

Ionizing radiation is a key limitation for long-duration space missions, as traditional shielding materials are cost inefficient for missions with strict mass constraints, especially for future exploration scenarios such as sustained lunar missions and beyond. Additionally, while widely used shielding materials in space applications like aluminum, titanium, and hydrogen-rich polymers like polyethylene, provide effective primary protection, they can also give rise to secondary radiation when interacting with high-energy particles. This has prompted interest in complementary, biologically inspired approaches to radiation protection. In particular, melanin, which is commonly found in radiation-resistant microorganisms, has been proposed as a potential shielding component.
In this study, we assessed radiation effects behind aluminum and titanium shields using Bacillus subtilis DNA repair–deficient mutants as biological indicators. In parallel, melanin was incorporated into aerogels to evaluate its performance as part of a lightweight shielding material. While conventional shielding materials led to reduced spore survival, indicating secondary radiation effects, melanin-loaded aerogels improved survival under X-ray exposure compared to controls. These findings suggest that melanin-based composites could complement existing shielding strategies and demonstrate the usefulness of biological assays for evaluating radiation protection concepts in space applications.

Speakers: Dr Katharina Runzheimer (German Aerospace Centre), Stefan Leuko (German Aerospace Centre)

Evaluating the Radiation Shielding Capabilities and Constraints of Microbial Melanin_Final_17062026.pptx

18 Radiation exposure and shielding effects on the lunar surface

Exploration of the Moon is a primary target for human space flight in the near future. A limiting factor for crewed missions is the radiation exposure of the astronauts on the lunar surface. While the total dose for extended missions is expected to be dominated by the galactic cosmic radiation, the potential occurrence of large solar energetic particle events may lead to severe short-term effects. This work investigated the expected dose rates for maximum galactic cosmic radiation intensity and the total dose from several historical solar energetic particle events, including the NASA reference event, through the application of numerical simulations with the Geant4 Monte-Carlo framework. An evaluation of the shielding effect of lunar regolith was carried out. For the solar particle events a shielding of more than 4 g/cm2 of regolith would reduce the expected dose to below the current 30-day limits. For galactic cosmic radiation adding additional mass shielding did not reduce the absorbed dose significantly. The estimated total dose equivalent received utilizing around 180 g/cm2 of regolith amounted to 200 mSv/year, which is about 35% below the corresponding estimates for an unshielded environment (Matthiä and Berger, 2024).

Speaker: Dr Daniel Matthiä (Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Linder Höhe, Köln, Germany)

2026-06-17-DLR-ME-SBA-Matthiä_RADSHIELD_ESTEC.pptx

17:30 Welcome Cocktail

Drinks and Bites

Thursday 18 June

09:00 Welcome

19 Keynote: Radiation Shielding for Space Nuclear Fission Power and Propulsion

Radiation shielding is a critical enabling technology for Lunar Fission Surface Power (FSP) and Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) systems, where intense mixed neutron–gamma fields from fission processes must be mitigated alongside the space radiation environment. Shield design will be driven by the stringent mass and volume constraints of the launch vehicle, requiring highly optimised, system-integrated solutions where possible. Effective shielding relies on multi-material configurations combining hydrogen-rich moderators for neutron attenuation with high-Z materials for gamma absorption, often in graded or layered architectures. Trade-offs between attenuation performance, secondary radiation generation, structural compatibility, and system integration are key design drivers.

This work will present the current ESA nuclear fission requirements and use cases, focussing on FSP and NEP. It will briefly highlight likely reactor architectures and fuel forms, as well as highlight constraints and key considerations towards shielding. A brief overview of worldwide developments in Space fission reactions, including shielding techniques will also be covered.

Speakers: Borja Pozo Larrocha (ESA), Stephanie Barron (ESA)

Radishield 2026 Radiation Shielding SYNERGY.pptx

Radishield 2026 Space Nuclear Fission Radiation Shielding.pdf

Modelling, Tools and Database: Session 1

20 MORED (Materials in Orbital Radiation Environments Database) Introduction

Developed with support from the UK Space Agency, the Materials in Orbital Radiation Environments Database (MORED) tool aims to assists in the design of spacecraft systems when dealing with the impact of radiation on materials and electrical components in orbit.
Currently, the barrier to entry in terms of designing and putting a payload into space is decreasing. This allows for a wider variety of research and commercial opportunities, but these missions still require support from the established expertise from the space sector and related fields.

As we in Cerberus Nuclear, as relative newcomers to the sector, have found, many software and datasets made for the space sector are tremendously useful and accessible. Tools such as SPENVIS and OMERE cover many of the most important fundamental needs when considering radiation shielding, most obviously source generation but also simple shielding dose calculations. Past this point, more complex radiation transport codes using Monte Carlo are common.

MORED looks to build and expand on what these tools do not, covering how materials behave when exposed to radiation. This can be a very complex topic and one that branches out quickly due to the very large variety of available materials and the myriad of material properties that can be of interest.

As an example, take the polymer ABS, the Ultimate Tensile Strength of which actually increases upon exposure to Gamma radiation. Or the Polyimide Kapton, the absorption in terms of transmittance of 700nm wavelengths reduce from 85% to 62%.

Now, does this matter for all designs and missions? Not necessarily, as many missions may be short enough that these effects may not become apparent, or the dose required for significant change could be much higher than could be expected for a given low earth orbit. However, these property changes may become more apparent on longer missions or certain orbits and their effect on systems could be overlooked in design procedures.

Built using Power BI, MORED uses data sets from SPENVIS and collates research data from various journals to provide a centralised database that can be used to quickly check if a chosen material has any reported changes to its material properties when exposed to various types of radiation.

While still currently in a demo phase, the MORED tool is available on the Cerberus Nuclear website. The next stage of development will focus on increasing the materials and properties included in the database beyond the initial example cases currently included.

In addition, further work is being carried out on ensuring that the methodology behind the doses reported are clear. Unlike the ECSS standards for electrical components that provide clear reporting frameworks, the standards for material testing can be more varied. This work will be carried out in collaboration with a small selection of Master’s students on relevant university level courses of study as part of summer placements.

MORED also integrates the current electrical component dose sensitivity data reported in the ECSS standards to give users a convenient reference for early in the design process. Considerations are being made as to collecting further industrial data on rad-hardened components and reporting these in the tool to allow users to quickly find alternative components for at risk systems.

By quantifying these radiation related changes, risks, and limits MORED allows designers to predict changes over time that may compromise the performance of mission critical components. MORED seeks to encourage the design of robust and radiation tolerant spacecraft with increased operational lifespans in a variety of orbits.

Speaker: Thomas Scone (Cerberus Nuclear)

21 Radiation Profile of the Australian “Roo-ver” Lunar Rover on the Moon’s Surface

Australia’s first Moon rover, Roo-ver, is scheduled to launch to the Moon later this decade where it will be remotely operated to explore the surface for a full lunar day (around 14 Earth days). Roo-ver is being designed, built and tested in Australia by the ELO2 Consortium as part of the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars initiative. This project received grant funding from the Australian Government through the Australian Space Agency and EPE Oceania Pty Ltd. In preparation for its journey to the moon, one of the major challenges Roo-ver must overcome is surviving the harsh radiation environment of the lunar surface.

Swinburne University of Technology leads the radiation effects package for the ELO2 Consortium. This work outlines the development and assessment of the radiation exposure expected during the Roo-ver’s lunar surface operations using a custom-built Geant4 application. The Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR) component of the radiation environment was calculated via SPENVIS for solar minimum conditions in interplanetary space using the ISO 15390 model, as recommended by the ECSS-E-ST-10-04C standard. Within Geant4, primary GCR particles were generated from a hemispherical surface and directed isotropically towards a flat volume representing the lunar surface. A high-fidelity Roo-ver CAD model was integrated within the Geant4 simulation using the publicly available CADMesh library. Additionally, the creation of secondary particles from the interaction of GCRs with the lunar surface, referred to as Backscattered Lunar Radiation (BLR), were simulated and tracked. The interactions of the primary GCR and secondary BLR particles within critical components of Roo-ver are simulated in Geant4 using the QBBC physics list with G4EMStandardPhysics_option4 activated. The results of this simulation study will allow for the prediction of key quantities such as particle flux, total ionising dose, and linear energy transfer (LET) within Roo-ver’s most susceptible components including the solar cells, navigational cameras and sensors, and on-board motor control electronics.

Speaker: Jayden Rinaldo (Swinburne University of Technology)

SUT-MLarge_RADSHIELD2026_slides.pptx

22 FASTRAD® 5.0 novelties: Modelling, calculation, post-processing modules and radiation protection.

For more than 20 years, FASTRAD® software has been a worldwide reference tool for advanced radiation dose analysis and shielding optimization. It’s permanently developed and optimized to consider the shielding in the most realistic way, allowing users to import their complex model and deal with realistic materials. FASTRAD® software includes numerous modelling, computing and post-processing tools to estimate an accurate dose value on electronic components level. Among these calculation methods, the Monte-Carlo method (Reverse or Forward) is the most accurate one, based on GEANT4 physics, to compute the dose level and other quantities.

We will present the main novelties of the last major version: FASTRAD® 5.0. We will first discuss about new developments on modelling tools, and how to deal with heavy and very complex models. Then, we will tackle some new post-processing tools, such as mapping operations or post-processing of Ray-Tracing calculations. We will also discuss about the new depth-curve calculation module, very useful to study the efficiency of materials. Finally, we will focus on the radiation protection module. Based on Forward Monte-Carlo calculation method, the particles are tracked from space to human tissues and organs. This new module, integrated into FASTRAD®, includes both electromagnetic and hadronic physics (neutron, heavy ions). With some computations, we will illustrate the impact of a shielding on a given mission and on astronauts’ health.

Speaker: Dr Damien Herrera (TRAD, Tests & Radiations)

RADSHIELD 2026 - FASTRAD 5.0 novelties - Modelling, calculation, post-processing modules and radiation protection.pptx

11:05 Coffee Break

Modelling, Tools and Database: Session 2

23 Overview of ESA’s Geant4-based tools for radiation shielding applications

The accurate assessment of radiation shielding performance is a key challenge in space mission design, requiring advanced modelling capabilities to capture complex particle interactions. Within ESA, a suite of simulation tools based on the Geant4 Monte Carlo framework has been developed to support shielding analysis, instrument response modelling, and radiation effects studies across a wide range of applications.
This contribution presents an overview of ESA’s Geant4-based tools, with particular focus on MULASSIS and GRAS. MULASSIS provides a robust and accessible environment for rapid evaluation of multi-layer shielding configurations using simplified geometries, while retaining detailed physics modelling and enabling analyses such as total ionising dose and non-ionising energy loss. Complementary non-Monte Carlo approaches further extend its applicability to fast parametric studies. In parallel, GRAS offers a highly flexible, multi-purpose simulation framework capable of handling complex three-dimensional geometries, advanced variance reduction techniques, and detailed detector response analyses for both scientific and engineering applications.
Recent developments include improved computational performance, enhanced physics modelling options, and integration within a broader ecosystem of tools and models, enabling end-to-end radiation environment and effects simulations. These capabilities support applications ranging from spacecraft shielding optimisation to radiation monitor design and human spaceflight studies.
The presentation highlights how these tools contribute to a consistent and scalable approach to radiation shielding analysis, bridging simplified and high-fidelity simulations within a unified Geant4-based framework.

Speaker: Marco Vuolo (ESA)

RADSHIELD 2026 - ESA GRAS Mulassis presentation.pptx

24 Network of Models - NoM: Enabling digital workflows for radiation transport for shielding

Network of Models - NoM
https://nom.esa.int/

Latest developments enabling digital workflows for radiation transport for shielding

Speaker: Simon Clucas (ESA)

RADSHIELD 2026 NoM slides Jan 2025.pdf

25 From CAD to radiation shielding assessment: An integrated workflow for spacecraft radiation analysis using Space-Suite

Radiation shielding assessment is an important step in the design and qualification of spacecraft and scientific instruments. Efficient analyses require a consistent workflow covering geometry definition, material management, interoperability with radiation transport tools and both fast and accurate shielding evaluations. This contribution presents an integrated modelling approach implemented within the European Space-Suite ecosystem.

The workflow starts with the definition of spacecraft geometries and material properties using the EDGE (ExtendeD GDML Editor) software. EDGE provides interoperability with several standard radiation modelling formats including GDML, STEP AP and MCNP. Shielding analyses can then be performed either through deterministic sector shielding methods using the SSAM module of EDGE or through detailed Monte-Carlo particle transport simulations using MoORa, based on ESA’s GRAS/Geant4. The complementarity between rapid engineering assessments and accurate simulations is discussed.

The methodology is illustrated through two representative applications. The first concerns radiation analyses performed in support of the SPAM instrument developed by IRAP for the ESA M-MATISSE mission, highlighting the role of detailed geometry modelling and dose calculations during early design phases. The second presents radiation shielding analyses of CubeSat in realistic space radiation environments. These examples demonstrate how Space-Suite can support shielding design, risk assessment and mission development activities across a wide range of space applications.

Speaker: Julien Forest (Artenum)

Radshield2026_SpaceSuiteRadiationAnalysis_2026-06__Artenum001.pdf

26 Multilayer Radiation Shielding Optimisation with GRAS and MULASSIS

Multilayer radiation shielding is only effective if it is optimised for the specific radiation environment in which it is used. Even though the parameter space of possible multilayer radiation shielding configurations is infinite, it can be systematically explored using Monte Carlo particle transport codes like the ESA software Geant4 Radiation Analysis for Space (GRAS) and the MUlti LAyer Shielding SImulation Software (MULASSIS).

GRAS allows the use of the Geometry Description Markup Language (GDML) to generate large numbers of shielding and detector volumes procedurally. This places the complexity into the geometry file, while the simulation setup and analysis are simple.
The main drawback of this approach is that the computational overhead introduced by the simultaneous scoring of many detector volumes grows faster than the number of simulated configurations and becomes prohibitive for large simulations exceeding ~2500 configurations in the same simulation.

MULASSIS is a lightweight 1D Monte Carlo particle transport code based on the same Geant4 physics engine but optimised for multilayer optimisation. While it is strictly single-threaded and supports only one multilayer shielding configuration per run, a large number of MULASSIS instances can be deployed in parallel with different input parameters to scan the parameter space. Due to each instance being fully independent of the other instances, the number of simulated particles can be dynamically adjusted and the computational cost scales strictly linearly with the number of configurations. This approach shifts the complexity away from the geometry definition towards setting up large numbers of independent MULASSIS instances, which, for large parameter sweeps, cannot be done manually.

For this purpose, we use Python to procedurally generate large numbers of configuration files for independent MULASSIS instances. A dynamic scheduler is used to read preliminary results and to schedule additional runs to reduce statistical uncertainty. The scheduler also allows increasing precision in interesting regions while the simulation is running, by, for example, topping up configurations around a forming minimum in parameter space while configurations that are falling behind are stopped early. Additional efficiency gains are obtained through spectrum truncation, spitting, biasing, and mono-energetic dose-response sweeps that separate expensive particle transport calculations from inexpensive spectral weighting.

The resulting workflow produces high-resolution maps of multilayer shielding performance, supporting searches for optimal layer structures for space radiation shielding applications.

Speaker: Mr Anton Fetzer (Aalto University)

ESA-RADSHIELD_2026_Fetzer_Multilayer-Optimisation.pdf

ESA-RADSHIELD_2026_Fetzer_Multilayer-Optimisation.pptx

13:00 Lunch Break

Irradiation Facilities: Session 1

27 RADNEXT 2030 - Europe’s coordinated access to radiation effects testing facilities

Radiation hardness qualification of electronic components, boards, systems and shielding material relies on specialized irradiation facilities capable of reproducing realistic radiation environments, including heavy ions, protons, neutrons, gamma rays, and electrons. These facilities are typically operated by research institutions and provide irradiation services to industry, space agencies, and academia. To help address this users’ need, the EU-funded RADNEXT program was established in 2021 to provide transnational access to irradiation infrastructures, and its successor, RADNEXT 2030, was launched in June 2026. This presentation will introduce the RADNEXT 2030 network of 30 irradiation facilities, focusing on heavy-ion, proton, and neutron capabilities while also covering complementary source such as gammas and electrons.

In addition to radiation effects testing on electronic devices, the program supports the evaluation of shielding materials for applications in Earth orbit, lunar missions, and deep-space exploration; irradiation testing is essential for validating radiation transport models and simulations, enabling the quantification of shielding performance under representative conditions and supporting the development and qualification of optimized shielding solutions e.g. for planetary habitats, astronaut protection during spaceflight, and advanced space suits. Beam time with in the RADNEXT program is awarded through a competitive proposal-based process. Granted beam time is free of charge for the user while the facilities get reimbursed by the EU-program.

Speaker: Gerd Datzmann

2026.06.18_DATZMANN_RADSHIELD_Vortrag_V0.5.pptx

28 Accelerator beams (protons, electrons, light ions) and monoenergetic neutron sources for space radiation research and radiation shielding testing

A wide range collection of particle accelerators and neutron sources in Czech Republic provide well-defined particle beams and reference radiation sources of energies and intensities found in LEO orbit and outer space. They are suitably used for space radiation research, detector calibration and radiation shielding testing. Collectively, the facilities provide (i) protons in the range 100 keV to 238 MeV, (ii) 3He ions of energies 20 and 38 MeV, (iii) 4He and 12C ions of low energies in the range 1 MeV/u, (iv) electrons of energy 3-22 MeV, (v) mono-energetic fast neutrons of 2.5 MeV and 14.1 MeV from D-D and D-T generators, (vi) mono-energetic tunable fast neutrons in the ranges 400 keV – 1.8 MeV, 2.5-4.5 MeV and 15-17 MeV. A diagram list of the wide-range neutron sources in Czech Republic in terms of neutron energy and flux is given in the figure. Moreover, with customized materials nuclear setups provide extended quasi-mono-energetic and partly mixed-radiation fields of e.g. broad spectrum fast and slow neutrons and broad gamma fields. Additionally, high-power hard-spectrum RTG/X-ray units and radionuclide 60Co and 137Cs monoenergetic gamma-ray irradiators are also available. The overview and parameters of the radiation fields and particle beams for external users will be presented with focus on radiation shielding testing.

Speaker: Carlos Granja (VSB - Technical University Ostrava)

ESA RadShield 2026 accel + n sources CZ Carlos.pdf

29 Past, present and future of shielding measurements at GSI and FAIR - Lessons learned

As one of the few accelerators worldwide capable of providing high energy heavy ions similar to the radiation environment in space, GSI has a long-standing history in ground-based, space-relevant radiation research in life sciences, nuclear physics, detector technologies, and electronics testing.
This talk will present past measurement campaigns such as the multi-year ROSSINI projects (RadiatiOn Shielding by ISRU and/or INnovative materIals for EVA, Vehicle and Habitat) to characterize novel shielding materials as well as lessons-learned. GSI's current space radiation research projects and new technical capabilities such as the hybrid active–passive Galactic Cosmic Ray simulator and opportunities and challenges presented by the future accelerator complex FAIR will be discussed.

Speaker: Christoph Schuy (GSI)

RADSHIELD_2026_CSchuy.pptx

15:20 Coffee Break

Irradiation Facilities: Session 2

30 Spectral, composition and directional changes and effect of shielding to energetic protons and electrons measured at particle accelerators with Timepix detectors

An extensive examination and detailed changes of the primary radiation (before the shielding) and the transmitted field (after the shielding) are directly measured and accurately evaluated in terms of radiation composition (particle species, production of secondary radiation), dosimetry (dose rates), spectrometry (energy loss, LET spectra), position/beam size and direction. The technique makes use of the high-resolution pixel detectors Timepix together with developed high-resolution radiation-imaging and spectral-sensitive particle-tracking techniques. Measurements are carried out at a wide range of particle accelerator beams (electrons, protons, ions), radiation sources (X rays, gamma rays) and newly also neutron sources (radionuclide, nuclear reactor, accelerator based) in Czech Republic. Data and results measured with composites (CFRP, GFRP) for spacecraft and nuclear shielding materials (Al, Pb, Ta) are presented (see figure) for energetic electrons and protons (tens of MeV) present in LEO orbit. The figure shows the technique experimental setup (top left) and the spatial visualization of the radiation field (14 mm x 14 mm = 2 cm2) of a parallel 30 MeV proton beam (bottom left) after four different shieldings (CFRP, GFRP, Ta, Pb). The integral deposited energy is displayed by the color bar (in log scale).

Speaker: Carlos Granja (VSB - Technical University Ostrava)

ESA RadShield 2026 meas TPX Carlos v02.pptx

ESA RadShield 2026 RadShld testing TPX Carlos v02.pdf

31 Design and in-silico benchmarking of proton beam degraders for trapped protons in Low Earth Orbit

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Design and in-silico benchmarking of proton beam degraders for trapped protons in Low Earth Orbit

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Jayden T. Rinaldo1*, Nils Krah2, Soon Hock Ng1, Matthew J. Large1, Rebecca Allen3, Konstantinos P. Chatzipapas4 & Jeremy M.C. Brown1
1 Optical Science Centre, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
2 Department of Research and Development, Holland Proton Therapy Centre, Delft, Netherlands
3 Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
4 Department of Radiation Science and Technology, Technical University of Delft, Delft, The Netherlands

Themes: Technology transfer from ground-based applications, Approach to risk management for small satellites/ cube-sats, Radiation shielding modelling.

Ionising space radiation found in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) contributes to degradation and potential failure of electrical components within orbiting satellites [1]. Experimental space radiation testing is vital for assessing unqualified components. This typically involves exposing susceptible components to multiple monoenergetic beams of protons and electrons at several pre-determined energies [2]. However, such experimental testing, particularly for low budget CubeSat and SmallSat missions, is often disregarded due to limited access to testing facilities and restricted funding [3]. Omitting crucial radiation testing from the design process can lead to unplanned spacecraft failure, resulting in these missions contributing to space junk and pollution in LEO [4].
This work presents a practical and reproducible method of emulating the trapped proton spectrum in LEO through design of proton beam degraders, comparable to degraders utilised for radiotherapy purposes [5]. These degraders would allow for space qualification testing from a single beam exposure rather than multiple exposures at single energies, reducing the required beamtime and hence the associated testing costs. Additionally, this method demonstrates the potential for adaptation of existing medical based proton facilities for space radiation testing, enabling easier access to space radiation testing. Degraders were designed and validated using a simulated model of the Holland Proton Therapy Centre Research and Development (HPTCR&D) beamline using OpenGATE10 [6]. Using the HPTCR&D OpenGATE10 beamline model depicted in Figure 1, a database of proton kinetic energy flux spectra scored from multiple thicknesses of PMMA was constructed. Reference trapped proton energy spectra were obtained from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Space Environment Information System (SPENVIS) [7]. To validate degrader performance, proton kinetic energy spectra, dose uniformity, and Linear Energy Transfer were explored. For experimental validation, the optimised proton beam degraders will be 3D-printed and deployed at the HPTCR&D beamline.

![Figure 1. OpenGATE10 model of the HPTCR&D beamline (top), with accompanying experimental apparatus (bottom) appropriated from Swinburne University of Technology [8], Components included are: Kapton exit window (1), Scattering foil (2), Beam monitor (3), Dual scattering ring (4), First collimator (5), Second collimator (6), Detector stage (7).][9]

[1]. Gutiérrez, O., Prieto, M., Perales-Eceiza, A., Ravanbakhsh, A., Basile, M. and Guzmán, D., 2023. Toward the use of electronic commercial off-the-shelf devices in space: Assessment of the true radiation environment in low earth orbit (leo). Electronics, 12(19), p.4058.
[2]. Rajkowski, T., Saigne, F. and Wang, P.X., 2022. Radiation qualification by means of the system-level testing: Opportunities and limitations. Electronics, 11(3), p.378.
[3]. Bouwmeester, J., Menicucci, A. and Gill, E.K., 2022. Improving CubeSat reliability: Subsystem redundancy or improved testing?, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 220, p.108288.
[4]. Maclay, T. and Mcknight, D., 2021. Space environment management: Framing the objective and setting priorities for controlling orbital debris risk. Journal of Space Safety Engineering, 8(1), pp.93-97.
[5]. Simeonov, Y., Weber, U., Schuy, C., Engenhart-Cabillic, R., Penchev, P., Durante, M. and Zink, K., 2021. Monte Carlo simulations and dose measurements of 2D range-modulators for scanned particle therapy. Zeitschrift für Medizinische Physik, 31(2), pp.203-214.
[6]. Sarrut, D., Arbor, N., Baudier, T., Bert, J., Chatzipapas, K., Favaretto, M., Fuchs, H., Grevillot, L., Harb, H., Van Hoey, G. and Jacquet, M., 2026. GATE 10 Monte Carlo particle transport simulation: I. Development and new features. Physics in Medicine & Biology, 71(1), p.015042.
[7]. European Space Agency (ESA) and the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, “SPENVIS,” 2024. https://www.spenvis.oma.be/intro.php.
[8]. Swinburne University of Technology. Space Radiation Effects, 2025. https://www.swinburne.edu.au/research/institutes/space-technology-industry/space-radiation-effects/
[9]. https://liveswinburneeduau-my.sharepoint.com/my?viewid=793fc621%2D5652%2D429c%2Db34a%2D8fce33b13e98&id=%2Fpersonal%2Fjrinaldo%5Fswin%5Fedu%5Fau%2FDocuments%2FImages%2FFigure1%2Epng&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Fjrinaldo%5Fswin%5Fedu%5Fau%2FDocuments%2FImages

Speaker: Jayden Rinaldo (Swinburne University of Technology)

RadshieldPresentationJaydenRinaldo.pptx

16:40 Wrap-up and Closure