GALACTIC COSMIC RADIATION AND MANNED SPACE FLIGHT
Abstract
A discussion of the flux and composition of primary cosmic particles of galactic origin is presented, together with a discussion of the processes through which these particles may transfer energy to biological specimens. The biological effects of primary cosmic particles are estimated on the bases of both dosage and pseudo-target theory. The dosage was estimated accordin to the method of Tobias wherein it is assumed that all particles that enter the body are stopped within the body without undergoing nuclear collision and fragmentation. As such, this estimate is an upper limit for the dosage and corresponds to 0.07 rem/day. The pseudotarget-theory approach was based upon the consensus of radiobologists that the only significant biological effect of primary cosmic particles will be injury to the neurons of the nervous system, since these neurons cannot be replaced. Using assumed values of kill cross sections and the measured flux of primary cosmic particles, it was possible to estimate that the fraction of neurons that might be killed as a function of exposure time is on the order of 1% in 100 days. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0292077
Entities
People
- A.r. Tamplin
- H.k. Fisher
Organizations
- RAND Corporation