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DARK ANGEL
“Cosmic Radiation harvesting”
14th Sept, 2016
Concept Description:
Understanding the environment on moon is the key to set up colonies there. Though experiments on ISS
in LEO have provided us a great wealth of knowledge about the harsh conditions of space, little is known
about the radiation environment in deep space. This is primarily because ISS lies within the earth’s
magnetic field which shields it from much of the harmful radiations. The lunar surface receives plethora
of radiation in the form of high energy charged particles due to the absence of magnetic field like that of
Earth. Hence, it is only logical to send experiments to moon which will help us understand and tackle
this problem. We propose to send an experiment to measure and if possible, characterize the radiation
environment on moon and to test a passive shielding method from the harmful rays.
The primary aim of our experiment is to measure the fluence of incident high energy particles and test
the shielding capacity of water from these particles. Also, our secondary motive is to see if it is possible
to use the energy from the particles to electrolyze pure water to produce hydrogen and oxygen which
can then be used as fuel. The pure water is kept in a cylindrical plastic container with two platinum
electrodes enclosed in glass tubes. Si-detectors are placed on top and bottom of this container. This
entire setup is contained within a thin cylindrical Al-shell. The cylindrical container below the Al-shell
houses the electronics required for the experiment. Temperature sensors need to be placed at silicon
detectors, water container and electronics housing to measure and maintain the thermal condition.
Also, the lateral walls of the outer cylindrical Al-shell should be heavily shielded from radiation particles
so that majority of the particles entering the plastic water container are from the top. The electronic
housing needs to be protected from the radiation as well.
Conduct of the experiment:
This experiment falls in Mission Class-6A and requires Type-3 commissioning.
The top plate of Al-shell filters out low energy particles. The remaining particle fluence is measured by
top Si detector. These high energy particles ionize water while passing through, causing electrolysis of
water. The resulting electric current produced gives quantitative measure of absorbed radiation.
Difference in detection by top and bottom Si-detectors enables us to assert effectiveness of water as a
shield.
If this experiment is successful:
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We will have much needed data on radiation in outer space
It establishes water as an effective radiation shield
The gases produced during electrolysis (H2 and O2) can be used as fuel
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Abhishek
Animesh
Shreyas
DARK ANGEL
“Cosmic Radiation harvesting”
14th Sept, 2016
Aluminium shell
Silicon detector
Water container
Glass tube
Electrode
Multi-layer
insulation
Electronics housing
Fig. 1-Dimensional drawing of the setup (all dimensions are in mm)
Abhishek
Animesh
Shreyas
DARK ANGEL
Si-detector
14th Sept, 2016
“Cosmic Radiation harvesting”
Preamp
Pulse Shape
ADC
Processor
Transmission
Fig. 2 Line diagram of Data Acquisition
Thermal requirements: The temperature in the plastic water container and the electronics bay should
be maintained between 10oC to 25oC. Also the temperature of the Si-detectors should be maintained
between -20oC to 25oC.
Field of View requirements: Field of View of at least 30o should be provided to the top of the outermost
Al-shell.
Imagery requirements: A camera can be placed in the plastic water container to primarily observe and
measure the gases collected in glass tubes. This is optional though.
Testing requirements: The Si-detectors might require calibration which can be done either at BARC or at
a hospital (if allowed) where protons beam are used for cancer treatment. Also, the entire setup should
undergo vibration tests just like the lander.
Electrical requirements: None. We will use the 28V DC provided and step up or step down to our
required voltages.
Data requirement: We will require a communication channel to transfer the readings back to Earth.
Optional:
A camera can be placed in the plastic water container to primarily observe and measure the gases
collected in glass tubes. Also if a large stack of Si-detectors are used in place of one bottom detector, we
might be able to characterize the incident particles through particle spectroscopy. These two
requirements though recommended are optional for the experiment.
Backup:
If at any time it is felt that integrating the experiment payload with the vehicle will be too difficult or
impossible, we can remove the secondary aim of the experiment and just aim to complete its primary
goal. That is, we will remove the electrodes and decrease the height of water container. This will reduce
the volume and weight of the payload. Also, we could then add a layer of inorganic equivalent of human
tissue to measure the absorbed dose and observe the effects.
Manufacturing:
The Si-detectors for space application can be bought from appropriate vendors such as Edmund Optics.
But these detectors are also being developed by BARC. We will ask for their help as this is the most
critical part of the entire payload. Rest all can be easily manufactured or procured through traditional
ways.
Abhishek
Animesh
Shreyas