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Título del libro:
Título del capítulo: Regolith Composite Films for Radiation Detection in Lunar Habitats

Autores UNAM:
MARCOS FRANCISCO ESPARZA POSADAS;
Autores externos:

Idioma:

Año de publicación:
2024
Palabras clave:

Indicators (chemical); Irradiation; Radiation chemistry; Radiation damage; Tropics; Astronaut safety; Laboratory test; Lunar habitats; Materials international space station experiments; MISSE-21 mission; Practical solutions; Pressung; Radiation detection; Regolith composite film; Risk Identification; Chemical sensors


Resumen:

As humanity prepares to return to the Moon and establish a long-term presence, one of the most pressing challenges is ensuring the safety of lunar habitats from harmful radiation. This study introduces a novel regolith composite film incorporating chitosan, a biopolymer that can be sustainably sourced from insects in space, designed to function as a visual radiation indicator. The film enables passive radiation detection, offering an efficient and practical solution for early risk identification without the need for complex instrumentation. Laboratory tests have demonstrated the composite film's promising mechanical properties, such as high flexibility, allowing it to be bent, rolled, and shaped without damage, along with stable fluorescence under ultraviolet light, making it well-suited for use as a wall coating in lunar habitats. The film is also scheduled for in-situ evaluation aboard the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MtSSE) module on the International Space Station, as part of the MtSSE-21 mission planned for 2025. This testing will assess its performance under the extreme environmental conditions of space, including radiation exposure and temperature fluctuations. This work contributes to the long-term viability of lunar exploration by providing a reliable, low-maintenance system for radiation detection and structural monitoring, enhancing the safety and self-sufficiency of future lunar habitats. Furthermore, the development of the film aligns with the broader goals of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), aiming to sustain extended lunar missions by relying on locally sourced or renewable materials. Copyright © 2024 by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). All rights reserved.


Entidades citadas de la UNAM: