Space Travel Hurdles

Here is the outline from the meeting of the Human Survival Authority, Department of Space Exploration and Planetary Defense on space travel hurdles such as radiation and distance. The meeting was held at location X59 in fourth quarter, 2023. Updated third quarter, 2024.

I. Introduction

A. Importance of Space Travel for Human Survival

1. Resource acquisition from asteroids and other celestial bodies
2. Scientific discoveries advancing technology and medicine
3. Potential colonization of other planets as a backup for humanity
4. Inspiration and unity through space exploration achievements

B. Challenges and Obstacles Faced in Space Travel
– Numerous challenges such as gravity wells, vast distances, life support, radiation exposure, energy requirements, and crew health must be addressed to ensure successful space missions.

C. Need for Careful Planning and Overcoming Hurdles
– Meticulous planning and innovative solutions are essential to overcome the myriad obstacles posed by space travel.

II. Hurdles in Space Travel

A. Distance and Time

1. Vast distances between celestial bodies complicate travel logistics
2. Long travel duration necessitates sustainable life support and psychological resilience
3. Communication delays due to the speed of light limitations affect mission control and real-time decision-making
4. Relativistic effects on time for long-distance space travel

B. Life Support Systems

1. Providing breathable air, water, and nutrition in a closed environment is complex
2. Efficient waste management systems are necessary to maintain hygiene and resource recycling
3. Maintaining optimal temperature and atmospheric pressure is critical for human survival

C. Radiation Exposure

1. Traversing the Van Allen radiation belts exposes spacecraft and crew to intense radiation when leaving or returning to Earth.
2. The Solar Wind exposes astronauts to a constant radiation of primarily charged particles, including protons, electrons, and alpha particles, with the solar constant at the earth being 1360 W/m². This varies with the sunspot cycle from 1365 W/m² at solar maximum to 1355 W/m² at solar minimum. The solar wind is a continuous stream released from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona, which flows outward at speeds of approximately 250 to 750 kilometers per second.
3. In space, while in our solar system, the solar wind helps reduce galactic cosmic radiation. Galactic Cosmic Rays (mostly protons with other nucleons), nevertheless, even within the solar system, pose significant survival risks to all life forms. This is because GCR is an isometric flux of ~4 particles per cm² per second with particle energies range widely from hundreds of MeV to over 100 million TeV in extreme cases.
4. Solar particle events (solar flares) can expose astronauts to high doses of radiation in short periods.
5. Radiation from power sources and other materials on the craft itself must also be considered.
6. Primary concerns are cancer, radiation sickness, neurological effects (brain damage, cognitive defects, damage to senses, perception), degenerative tissue damage (heart disease, cataracts, immunological changes, premature aging), among other health issues

D. Micrometeorite Impacts

1. High-velocity of micrometeorites poses a threat to spacecraft integrity (low of 3 km/s to as high as 70 km/s, average 20 ±5 km/s. A bullet speed on earth is about 2 km/s, so micrometeorites reach 5 to 35 times the speed of a bullet.)
2. Potential damage to critical systems and life support
3. Risk of hull breaches and rapid decompression. A particle with a mass of approximately 0.708 milligrams (mg) traveling at 20 km/s would have the same kinetic energy as a typical .22 caliber bullet. This is about 3,672 times less massive than the .22 bullet.
4. Cumulative damage over long-duration missions
5. Rare extreme high velocity objects of significant mass
6. Risk Flux – The micrometeorite flux changes over time. For a general estimate of the average cislunar micrometeorite flux across a range of particle sizes, we can use the value of 8.00 x 10^-5 particles per square meter per second for particles larger than 10^-12 grams. This translates to approximately 6.91 particles per square meter per day. We can estimate the flux of particles ≥0.708 milligrams in cislunar space is approximately 7.82 x 10^-11 particles/m²-sec. In practical terms, a spacecraft with a surface area of 100 m², would expect to encounter one such particle on average approximately every 4 years.

E. Energy and Propulsion

1. High energy is required for shielding, repairs, propulsion and sustaining life support systems
2. Efficient propulsion systems are needed to reduce travel time and energy consumption
3. Traditional fuels have limitations in efficiency and sustainability

F. Crew Health and Psychological Well-being

1. Zero gravity impacts muscle and bone density, cardiovascular health, and other bodily functions.
2. Isolation and confinement can lead to psychological challenges such as depression and anxiety.
3. Maintaining physical and mental fitness is essential for mission success.
4. Potential for interpersonal conflicts in confined spaces

III. Plans to Overcome Hurdles to Space Travel

A. Distance and Time

1. Development of advanced propulsion systems such as ion drives and nuclear propulsion to reduce travel time
2. Utilizing interplanetary slingshots and gravity assists to conserve energy and speed up travel
3. Development of more efficient trajectory planning algorithms to optimize flight path
4. Exploration of hibernation technologies to allow crews to “sleep” through long journeys
5. Research into theoretical concepts like warp drives and wormholes

B. Life Support Systems

1. Implementation of closed-loop recycling systems for air, water, and food to ensure sustainability.
2. Development of regenerative life support technologies to maintain a stable environment.
3. Efficient waste management systems to recycle and reuse resources.
4. Integration of bio-regenerative systems, such as algae-based air revitalization
5. Creation of artificial gravity systems to mitigate the effects of long-term micro-gravity exposure
6. Advanced 3D printing technologies for on-demand production of spare parts and tools

C. Radiation Exposure

1. Use of advanced shielding materials and spacecraft design to protect against radiation.
2. Use of mining robots to place and repair asteroid rock layers on the ship as shielding
3. Monitoring and early warning systems for solar radiation and particle events to mitigate exposure risks
4. Development of drugs and treatments to counteract the effects of radiation on the human body.
5. Strategic mission planning to minimize time spent in high-radiation areas like the Van Allen belts
6. Research into active shielding technologies, such as electromagnetic fields to deflect charged particles
7. Genetic engineering approaches to enhance human radiation resistance
8. Development of radiation-hardened electronics and materials

D. Micrometeorite Protection

1. Deflection shields, energetic, physical or a combination.
2. Development of advanced materials and multi-layer “bullet proof” shielding for spacecraft hulls.
3. Implementation of detection systems to track and avoid larger debris.
4. Self-sealing technologies for minor hull breaches.
5. Research into active debris removal technologies to clean up space junk in Earth orbit
6. Development of repair robots for external spacecraft maintenance
7. Ship designs to minimize impact surface during travel

E. Energy and Propulsion

1. Research and development of advanced propulsion technologies to improve efficiency.
2. Integration of renewable energy sources such as solar panels to provide sustainable power.
3. Exploration of alternative fuel options like hydrogen and nuclear for long-duration missions.
4. Development of more efficient and compact nuclear reactors for spacecraft power
5. Investigation of antimatter propulsion concepts for future high-energy missions
6. Creation of advanced energy storage systems to manage power during eclipse periods

F. Crew Health and Psychological Well-being

1. Regular health monitoring and exercise routines to counteract the effects of zero gravity.
2. Psycho-social support systems and counseling to address mental health issues.
3. Simulated and immersive training to prepare astronauts for long-duration space missions.
4. Development of virtual reality systems to provide Earth-like experiences and reduce isolation
5. Implementation of circadian lighting systems to maintain proper sleep-wake cycles
6. Creation of social interaction protocols and activities to maintain crew cohesion and morale

IV. Expected Obstacles

A. Technological Limitations
1. Unforeseen engineering challenges that may arise during mission planning and execution.
2. High costs associated with research, development, and deployment of new technologies.

B. Policy and Regulatory Issues
1. Need for international cooperation and agreements to facilitate space exploration.
2. Licensing and safety regulations to ensure the protection of astronauts and spacecraft.

C. Public and Political Support
1. Public perception of space travel risks and benefits can influence funding and support.
2. Political will to prioritize space exploration and allocate necessary resources.

V. Dependencies for Success

A. Collaboration and Cooperation
1. International partnerships and resource sharing to pool expertise and capabilities.
2. Interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, engineers, and psychologists to address complex challenges.

B. Adequate Funding and Resources
1. Government funding and support to sustain long-term space exploration initiatives.
2. Private sector investment and commercialization of space to drive innovation and reduce costs.

C. Continuous Research and Development
1. Ongoing scientific investigations and technological advancements to address emerging challenges.
2. Knowledge sharing and dissemination of findings to accelerate progress and innovation.

VI. Conclusion

A. The Future of Space Travel and Its Importance for Human Survival
– Space travel is essential for the future of humanity, offering new frontiers for exploration and survival.

B. Overcoming Hurdles and Challenges Through Strategic Planning and Innovation
– Strategic planning and innovative solutions are key to overcoming the numerous challenges of space travel.

C. The Need for Continued Exploration and Expansion of Our Presence in Space
– Continued exploration and expansion into space are vital for the advancement of human knowledge and the sustainability of our species.

More Reading
^{[1] https://www.nasa.gov/hrp/hazrds/
[2] https://www.lung.org/blog/space-travel-obstacles
[3] https://www.wired.com/2016/02/space-is-cold-vast-and-deadly-humans-will-explore-it-anyway/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9818606/
[5] https://www.bcm.edu/academic-centers/space-medicine/translational-research-institute/space-health-resources/how-the-body-changes-in-space
[6] https://www.swsc-journal.org/articles/swsc/pdf/2020/01/swsc200013.pdf
[7] https://www.spenvis.oma.be/help/background/gcr/gcr.html}