Figure C.l-2. Transient short circuit current (I ) induced in two typical cells (X and Y) by ionizing radiation at high transient dose rates. C. 1.3 Protecting SPS Elements Against Nuclear Weapon Effects How can the various elements of SPS be protected against the nuclear weapon effects described above? It is infeasible to harden the space segments of SPS against nuclear detonations within a few kilometers. If friendly military systems in space can defend SPS elements from direct nuclear attacks by hostile forces, or if the SPS has sophisticated defensive capabilities, the problem becomes easier: we would need only to provide protection from nuclear detonation at distances of tens or hundreds of kilometers. Assuming that SPS elements are not of direct strategic significance, decisions about the level of protection to be provided would be based primarily upon the economic costs of temporary or permanent loss of each element in relation to the probabilities of loss and the costs of protection.
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