Primary Intelligence Asset

19670029898

AUTHENTICATED_SOURCE RESTRICTED_ACCESS_LVL_3 OCR_VERIFIED
INTEL

Executive Summary

This 1967 report explores a theoretical 'plasma shield' that uses electric and magnetic fields to protect astronauts from high-energy space radiation. It suggests that using physics to deflect radiation could be much lighter and more efficient than using thick, heavy walls on a spacecraft.
Analysis Confidence: High
ST_CODE: 3F1857

System Metadata

Source ID

DOC-AVCO_PLA

Process Date

2/3/2026

Integrity Hash

SHA256-y3ezubd31rc...

Indexer Status

COMPLETE

Initializing_Secure_Viewer...
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INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS

Layman's Executive Summary

This 1967 report explores a theoretical 'plasma shield' that uses electric and magnetic fields to protect astronauts from high-energy space radiation. It suggests that using physics to deflect radiation could be much lighter and more efficient than using thick, heavy walls on a spacecraft.

Document Origin

Prepared by Richard H. Levy and Francis W. French of the Avco Everett Research Laboratory (a division of AVCO Corporation) for the NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center under Contract No. NAS8-20310.

Research Purpose

The research aimed to find a lightweight alternative to heavy physical shielding for protecting crews on long-duration space missions from energetic solar flare-produced protons.

Relevancy Analysis

" This document is a critical early link in the lineage of High Energy Density Physics (HEDP) and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) research that later evolved into advanced 'black program' aerospace concepts. The focus on plasma containment, superconducting magnets, and extreme voltages directly correlates with the developmental path of Field-Reversed Configurations (FRC) and fusion research seen at institutions like Sandia National Laboratories and the University of Illinois, bridging the gap between early NASA space exploration and more modern, classified energy-confinement technologies. "

Extracted Verifiable Claims

  • › The report identifies NASA CR-61176 as the official document number under Contract No. NAS8-20310.
  • › The authors state that the required voltage for an effective Plasma Radiation Shield is likely in the range of 30 to 60 million volts.
  • › The concept utilizes 'free electrons' in conjunction with electric and magnetic fields to create an active radiation barrier.
  • › The document mentions the Avco Everett Research Laboratory's location in Everett, Massachusetts, as the site of the research.
  • › The report concludes that traditional electrostatic and magnetic shielding schemes (without plasma) are not as promising as the Plasma Radiation Shielding concept.

Technical Contribution

This document provides the foundational physics, design parameters (specifically the 30-60 million volt requirement), and the preliminary systems engineering for an active electromagnetic radiation barrier using superconducting coils.

FORENSIC_TRANSCRIPT_LOG

Transcript

Page 1 of 8

INTRODUCTION

NASACONTRACTOR REPORT NASACR-61176 October9,1967 CO _D I O < < Z THEPLASMARADIATIONSHIELD: CONCEPT,ANDAPPLICATIONSTO Preparedunder Contract No. NAS8-20310by Richard H.Levyand Francis W.French AVCOCORPORATION SPACEVEHICLES 7, GPOPRICE$ CFSTIPRICE(S)$ Hardcopy(HC) Microfiche(MF) ff657l. July1_5 •--• X(ACCESSIONNUMBER) i. --(PAGES) J (NASACRORTMXORADNUMBER) {THRU) / (CODE) (CATEGORY) For NASA-GEORGEC.MARSHALLSPACE Huntsville,ALabama FLIGHTCENTER October9, 1967NASACR-61176 THEPLASMARADIATIONSHIELD: CONCEPT,ANDAPPLICATIONSTOSPACEVEHICLES (Contractor Report Dated April1967) By Richard H.Levyand Francis W.French Preparedunder Contract No. NAS8-20310by AVCOEVERETTRESEARCHLABORATORY adivisionof AVCOCORPORATION Everett,Massachusetts For Space Sciences Laboratory Distributionofthisreportisprovidedintheinterestof informationexchange. Responsibilityforthecontents residesintheauthorororganizationthatpreparedit. NASA-GEORGEC.MARSHALLSPACEFLIGHTCENTER PRECEDINGPAGEBLAI_:(NOTFILter ED.