The formation of radioactive isotopes during space flights using low-thrust engines

Currently, the development of spacecraft with low-thrust electric propulsion systems is underway. These systems have several advantages over traditional rocket systems, such as the ability to deliver larger payload to the Moon at a lower cost. However, flight times are significantly longer (300 days or more), leading to prolonged (compared to the Hohmann transfer orbit) exposure of the payload to radiation belts particles, galactic and solar cosmic rays. During the interaction of high-energy protons and nuclei with the nuclei of the payload material, fragmentation and formation of radioactive isotopes are possible. In the case of creating habitable stations on the lunar surface or in lunar orbit, a significant part of the payload will consist of food products. The question then arises as to whether cosmic radiation will lead to accumulation of dangerous amounts of radioactive isotope in these products that could be harmful to life. In this work, the interaction of cosmic ray proton fluxes along the trajectory of a spacecraft with low-thrust engines with target material (meat has been chosen as the target) has been simulated. As a result, it has been found that the level of induced radioactivity based on a comparison with maximum permissible limits of radionuclides in food products is insignificant. This result is important for future lunar exploration.