Satellite studies on the use of electric fields for shielding biological objects against cosmic rays

The paper presents the results of measurements of conduction currents in strong electric fields of an electrostatic radiation shield apparatus aboard the Cosmos 690 artificial satellite. Power, dose and weight-size characteristics were calculated for an electrostatic shield and it was concluded that with available high-voltage technology it is possible to create an efficient low-weight electrostatic shield against cosmic radiation for biological objects. The development of an electric field system for in-flight radiation protection of biological objects could solve a number of other technological problems, such as protection of equipment and instruments against electric inductions, discharges and surface breakdowns.