http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2005/25aug_plasticspaceships/

NASA scientists have invented a groundbreaking, polyethylene-based material called RXF1 that’s even stronger and lighter than aluminum. “This new material is a first in the sense that it combines superior structural properties with superior shielding properties,” says Nasser Barghouty, Project Scientist for NASA’s Space Radiation Shielding Project at the Marshall Space Flight Center.

To Mars in a plastic spaceship? As daft as it may sound, it could be the safest way to go.

Should that read “Spastic Playships”?

wookiemeister said:

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2005/25aug_plasticspaceships/

NASA scientists have invented a groundbreaking, polyethylene-based material called RXF1 that’s even stronger and lighter than aluminum. “This new material is a first in the sense that it combines superior structural properties with superior shielding properties,” says Nasser Barghouty, Project Scientist for NASA’s Space Radiation Shielding Project at the Marshall Space Flight Center.

To Mars in a plastic spaceship? As daft as it may sound, it could be the safest way to go.

Hasn’t stuff stronger and lighter than aluminium been around for yonks?. Carbon fibre, Kevlar etc.

https://www.quora.com/How-much-lighter-is-carbon-fiber-than-steel-and-aluminium

the plastic is being used to shield astronauts on long trips in space

if they went there today the astronauts would be dead before they got there , the radiation shielding wouldn’t be any good

plastic could the way to go for long space trips

it’s probably another reason the Venus flyby using Saturn V was never considered ( apart from Saturn V being scrapped and manned space flight by Erica taking a backward step), they had no viable shielding

manned missions to mars or venus, though venus wouldn’t really be much point, are within safe limits for ionizing radiation levels. providing there are no solar flares that raise the radiation levels.

wookiemeister said:

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2005/25aug_plasticspaceships/

NASA scientists have invented a groundbreaking, polyethylene-based material called RXF1 that’s even stronger and lighter than aluminum. “This new material is a first in the sense that it combines superior structural properties with superior shielding properties,” says Nasser Barghouty, Project Scientist for NASA’s Space Radiation Shielding Project at the Marshall Space Flight Center.

To Mars in a plastic spaceship? As daft as it may sound, it could be the safest way to go.

The outer surface of the Apollo LEM was a mylar-type plastic. The astronauts had to be careful not to accidentally tear a hole in it.

Highest strength concrete has a strength and stiffness virtually indistinguishable from aluminium. We’ve seen concrete boats. Why not a concrete spacecraft?

If plastic hasn’t hardened completely, eg. still has some plasticizer or hardener present, then the evaporation in space causes structural damage. So have to be very careful with mixing of, for example, two part epoxy for space applications.