Preliminary study on radiation shielding properties of sulfur concrete on Mars

Abstract

The hypothetical human exploration and inhabitation on Mars would certainly be difficult as the planet itself is vulnerable to the outer space radiation. The outer space radiation consists of the solar particle events (SPEs) that could easily penetrate the very thin atmospheric layers on Mars. Since sulfur concrete is identified as the feasible in situ building material on Mars, its radiation shielding capability is yet to be clarified. Here we report the preliminary radiation shielding properties of the Martian sulfur concrete composed of elemental sulfur and silica with the latter identified on Mars and incorporated by previous related studies upon irradiation with gamma rays generated from the Iridium-192. It is found that the Martian sulfur concrete demonstrated an approximately 50% efficiency upon irradiation. Martian sulfur concrete demonstrated a high potential in radiation shielding capability as well as the structural integrity post irradiation.