Functional Features and Radiation Protection Methods for a Spacecraft with a Nuclear Power Plant in the Gas-Dust Plasma Environment of its Own External Atmosphere

The operation of spacecraft with nuclear power plants operating under the influence of their own external atmosphere is associated with the effect of radiation transfer from the near-reactor zone to the area near the instrument compartment. This phenomenon is called “induced radiation”. Induced radiation has a negative effect on the equipment in the area near the instrument compartment. To protect against induced radiation, this article suggests, together with traditional protection methods, using special devices that provide additional radiation protection for spacecraft with nuclear power plants. These include: a positively charged separation screen; gas nozzles for purging the outboard space; electronic plasma neutralizers with thermionic cathodes. The combined use of traditional methods and additional protection devices to reduce the negative impact of a nuclear reactor will significantly extend the service life of the spacecraft.