Here is a simplifed version of my first post, minus the ion drive as a power source.


Radiation Shielding

The three main schools of thought on these are: Material Shielding, which has the drawback of mass. A major factor for a ship design. Magnetic Shielding, which is weak points at the poles, much like the Earth does. It also requires a strong magnetic field, which might have its own ill effects, we don't know yet. Electrostatic Shielding, by giving the hull a large positive charge, you can repel cosmic-ray protons. But it creates a bombardment of electrons in the range of its field effect.

The key might be to combine the strengths of each of these methods, while reducing their drawbacks. This can give us a reduction in mass and energy requirements over any stand alone system. Lets start with electrostatic shielding and how it can be improved.

As stated earlier, a section of a ship can be given a charge to repel like charges, but it attracts like charges. Both positive and negative particles are a problem in space. Instead of charging the outside of the hull around the crew where bombardment would be a problem, move the charged areas to the ends of the ship, away from the crew. Use both a positively and a negatively charged region at opposite ends of the ship, perhaps on extensions to increase distance from the crew area. This will draw charged particles away from the area between the poles, reducing the number headed for the crew area. We have in effect turned the ship into a large dipole.

As cosmic radiation bombards the poles of the ship, the charged particles will cause a change in the potential of the dipole we have created. This change in potential will caused the dipole to generate a magnetic field. A magnetic field will also help to deflect cosmic radiation away from the crew area and towards the poles of the ship. As we are using the electrostatic system to generate the magnetic field, there is little to no increase in mass and energy requirements for the added protection. The dipole system could be operated from within the ship to generate a magnetic field instead of depending on the effects of cosmic radiation. I have yet to determine with method would be the most efficient.

Material shielding is last on our list. Its use should be limited to vital areas due to mass. Plastics like polyethylene fit the bill of low mass and good protection. Recent work that allows plastics to carry a charge however can make material shielding even more effective. Charged layers of plastic within the plastic shielding, whose charge does not radiate into space, would help to stop charged particles that penetrate the hulls skin. This will increase the effectiveness of material shielding, allowing less to be used for the same degree of protection. An overall reduction in mass.

So by combining all three shielding concepts into a single design concept, an overall reduction in mass and energy requirements from protection from cosmic radiation can be achieved.