Computational Methods to Develop a Magneto-ionization Spacecraft Shield for Interplanetary Travel (the MISSFIT Collaboration)

This work aims to develop radiation-shielding solutions for manned interplanetary travel using a combination of magnetic fields, ionization chambers and passive absorbers by developing the computational methods required to properly simulate the propagation of high-energy particles through such systems. We develop a code to compute a magnetic field around the proposed spacecraft employing the matrix relaxation method. The resulting magnetic field is used to calculate the trajectory of charged particles through various gaseous and solid media with a particle propagation code. The program is fully relativistic and employs SRIM to calculate the energy loss of such particles as they travel through the passive absorption shield. The aim of this work is to produce highly accurate results illustrating the motion of charged particles through analysis of case studies with varying energies, incident angles, and magnetic field configurations. A deterministic code is used currently, but a Monte-Carlo method to compute statistics for particle motion is being developed.