Shield Optimization Program, Part 2: Effects of Van Allen Belt Radiation on SDI Weapon Platforms

Abstract

The effects of both natural and man-made Van Allen Belt (VAB) radiation at an altitude of 500 km are presented for various components of a prototypic space-based interceptor (SBI) weapon platform. The weapon platform is described in detail and represents the authors' concept of such a system. The calculated results show that the SBI platform will survive long term (10 years) exposure to natural VAB protons and electrons. However, when the electron belts are enhanced by the detonation of a nuclear weapon, high levels of radiation can be expected in components mounted on or near the surface of the spacecraft. These dose levels are sufficient enough to produce damage in the most sensitive components.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA344852

Entities

People

  • J. D. Drischler
  • J. M. Barnes
  • J. O. Johnson
  • R. T. Santoro
  • T. A. Gabriel

Organizations

  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Circular Orbits
  • Detectors
  • Fuel Tanks
  • Geometry
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Kill Vehicles
  • Launch Tubes
  • Materials
  • Radiation
  • Radiation Shielding
  • Radiation Weapons
  • Radiative Transfer
  • Rocket Fuels
  • Rockets
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Based
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
  • Solar Physics

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space