Material configuration enabling flexibility of a structure using rigid components

A radiation protection panel to protect a living body against space radiation, the radiation protection panel comprising:

• a radiation attenuation layer comprising a plurality of shielding elements;
• and
• each of said shielding elements comprising an individual radiation attenuating characteristics;
• wherein the individual radiation attenuating characteristic is at least one of a thickness or a density of the shielding element that is substantially inversely related to radiation attenuation levels of tissue present between each of said plurality of shielding elements and the underlying organ of the living body;
• and
• each said shielding element being a geometric shape;
• and
• a flexible material connecting the plurality of shielding elements;
• wherein the panel comprises flexibility greater than an individual shielding element,
• wherein the plurality of the shielding elements includes a plurality of longitudinal members that are attached to the flexible material, the plurality of longitudinal members result in varying radiation attenuating characteristics across a surface of the radiation protection layer, and each longitudinal member extends further in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the flexible material than it does in a direction parallel to the plane of the flexible material.