HackerPapers

arXiv:physics/0610030physics.space-ph

Radiation Hazard of Relativistic Interstellar Flight

Oleg G. Semyonov

Abstract

From the point of view of radiation safety, interstellar space is not an empty void. Interstellar gas and cosmic rays, which consist of hydrogen and helium nucleons, present a severe radiation hazard to crew and electronics aboard a relativistic interstellar ship. Of the two, the oncoming relativistic flow of interstellar gas produces the most intence radiation. A protection shield will be needed to block relativistic interstellar gas that can also absorb most of the cosmic rays which, as a result of relativistic aberration, form into a beamed flow propagating toward the front of the ship.

arXiv comments
16 pages, 4 figures, minor grammar corrections, references added, submitted to Acta Astronautica
Journal reference
DOI
Subjects
physics.space-phSpace Physics physics.gen-phGeneral Physics

On Hacker News

Linked by 3 identifiable commenters in 3 comments across 3 threads, from May 2017 to Jul 2026.

Comments linking this paper, per year.

Discussed in comments3 threads

  1. Helium escaping from atmosphere of nearby rocky exoplanet in a habitable zone 1 comment

    • If "closest star" is Proxima Centauri, we're talking 4.5 light-years. Getting there in 1000 years means an average speed of 0.45% of the speed of light. At that speed less than 0.01 cm of titanium is enough shielding to keep the radiation out according to figure 1c) in my source…

      sehansenView on HNParent context

  2. Relativistic Spaceship 1 comment

    • Here's one paper on the subject. There are others, but I've run out of steam for trawling through Scholar and arXiv. Radiation hazard of relativistic space flight https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0610030

      bhickeyView on HNParent context

  3. Self-Healing Transistors for Chip-Scale Starships 1 comment

Submitted to Hacker News

Connected through shared HN threads, not inferred similarity or a recommendation.