POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS OF THE DAMAGE BY RADIATIONnIN THE STORAGE OF PROPELLANTS IN OUTER SPACEnAND TENTATIVE METHODS FOR ITS MEASUREMENT

摘要

The damage by radiation that can be expected during the storage of hydrogen-bonded propellants in outer space is analyzed in terms of the available data on radiation levels. On this basis, the alternatives of storing the propellants as liquids or as solids, at low temperature, are discussed, and account is taken of recent results on their thermal behaviour obtained at this Laboratory. Vitreous states of aggregation of compounds that could crystallize spontaneously after long periods of irradiation are shown to present some hazards that can be prevented.nGeneral considerations of radiation-damage detection in outer space are also made. Paramagnetic resonance is found to be of little use in view of the relatively low-dose levels. Solid-state devices are finally recommended.