shielding

<< But are we talking about a small space station, or a large,
permanent community in space, as envisioned by O'Neill? >>

I'm interested in repair-able mobile colonies of a size that's good
for the life it contains. But I am speaking for all habitats really
as what I wrote is applicable, I would guess, to most any that's
expected to survive in space for the long term. Even a small craft
needn't be completely covered with the same amount of shielding - it
depends on what you're shielding and how long you must shield it and
if there is any way you can reduce this shielding to save on energy
and resources. I'm not interested in O'Neill's visions.. I have
enough of my own to wrestle with, if you don't mind.

<< The thing to remember about cosmic rays is that they're ever-
present. >>

Yes. Normal space radiation consists of cosmic radiation.. I was
refering to serious storms of radiation that come and go, as far as a
shelter is needed to be employed. We have shelters to protect us
from the big stuff.. not the ever-present.

>

Ignore?

>

No. You misunderstand. The shelter is for the transient serious
radiation we pass through, including solar flares.

<< can you imagine a community of 10,000 or more that at regular
intervals abandons the rest of their city to hole up in shelters for
several days at a time? The scenario you describe sounds fine to me
for a trip to Mars, or a space station with a crew of less than a
100; all capable adults. But a community of 10,000 which would
include children? >>

With less weight it's more easy to move out of the way of a shower of
rocks heading for your habitat.. plus you save the kids in the
process.

You should be more protective of the children and less loyal to
pasting two meters of heavy concrete everywhere.

George
http://cygo.com/