Astronaut Radiation Exposure in Low-Earth Orbit. Part 1. Galactic Cosmic Radiation

Abstract

In recent years, there has been increasing concern about the radiation doses which will be suffered by astronauts on present-day and future space missions. In order to characterize radiation exposure risks on space missions one requires models of space radiation environments, codes for transporting the components of ionizing radiation, and procedures for assessing radiation risks of a given exposure. To verify their accuracy, predictions based on these transport results must then be compared with existing dosimetry data. Linear energy transfer (LET) spectra, absorbed dose, and dose equivalent from galactic cosmic radiation and its fragments are presented for four, representative low-earth orbit configurations. The orbits include a high (STS- 5IJ) and low (STS-61C) altitude, low-inclination (28.5 degs) flight; a high inclination (49.5 degs) flight (STS-51F); and a polar flight. Results are compared with computations for an exo-magnetospheric flight.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 31, 1988
Accession Number
ADA204598

Entities

People

  • John R. Letaw

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Cosmic Rays
  • Dosimetry
  • Earth Orbits
  • Energy Transfer
  • Galactic Cosmic Rays
  • High Altitude
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Low Altitude
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Materials
  • Polar Orbits
  • Radiation
  • Radiation Protection
  • Radiation Shielding
  • Shielding
  • Space Missions

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris