At the equator, the most dangerous part of the radiation belts extends from about 1000 to 20,000 kilometres in altitude. The region did not hurt the Apollo astronauts in the 1960s and 1970s because their rockets delivered them swiftly through it.
For a space elevator travelling at the current proposed speed of 200 kilometres per hour, however, passengers might spend half a week in the belts. That would hit them with 200 times the radiation experienced by the Apollo astronauts.
(Via Unknown Country.)
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Space elevators: 'First floor, deadly radiation!'
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3 comments:
Don't despair, Bear. We've actually been thinking about this - it's not as if the Van Allen belts are news.
Wrap your passengers in water tanks. The water can be stored at the top against later use or used by whomever is living up there.
Brian Dunbar
Liftport
There's always something. Dammit!
Oh well, that's what shielding is for, no? Lead, water, rock, spacesuits for The Whole Family!
Although I don't harbor terribly high hopes for humanity in general, I'm convinced we can conquer the hazard of space radiation exposure if we try.
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