Space Radiation
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Space is trying to kill you. It tries to kill you in many different ways. One of those ways is to flood itself with dangerous radiation that can kill biological organisms, damage or disable electronics, and degrade some kinds of materials.
Galactic Cosmic Rays
Solar Radiation
Solar Ultraviolet Light
Solar Wind
Coronal Mass Ejections
Solar Flares
Flare Stars
Planetary Radiation Belts
Relativistic Travel
Stellar Corpse Environments
White Dwarfs
Neutron Stars
Magnetars
Black Holes
Artificial Radiation Sources
The main focus of this article is on natural sources of radiation. But if you expect to operate in space you will also need to consider common artificial radiation sources. Many spacecraft and other space infrastructure are expected to be powered by fission or fusion reactors, or to use fission or fusion propulsion. All of these will produce copious amounts of nuclear radiation in the form of energetic neutrons, gamma rays, and the emissions of radioactive isotopes produced through fission or neutron capture. This will produce a hostile radiation environment that will require large exclusion zones or shielding.
In addition, space conflict scenarios are likely to use particle beam weapons, x-ray or gamma-ray lasers, and nuclear explosives. All of these produce radiation as a primary effect or side effect of their operation.
Nuclear reactors and explosions in the vicinity of a planet with a magnetic field can make artificial radiation belts that persist for days to years (depending on the altitude), and can severely damage electronics operating within or passing through the belt[1][2].
Credit
Author: Luke Campbell