SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL AEROSPACE REPORTS

A Biweekly Publication of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
VOLUME 44, ISSUE 12 - JUNE 20, 2006

93 SPACE RADIATION
Includes cosmic radiation; and inner and outer Earth radiation belts.

For biological effects of radiation on plants and animals see 51 Life Sciences; on human beings see 52 Aerospace Medicine.

For theory see 73 Nuclear Physics.

20060014054 New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque, NM, USA

Radiation Detection and Monitoring in Space with Low-Temperature Bolometric Techniques

Boyd, Stephen; Proceedings of the 2004 NASA/JPLWorkshop on Physics for Planetary Exploration; [2004]; In English; See also 20060014017; No Copyright; Abstract Only; Available from CASI on CD-ROM only as part of the entire parent document

Low-temperature bolometric techniques present advantages and unique capabilities for radiation detection compared to standard detectors, because their detection physics is fundamentally different from that of standard detectors. Among these advantages are: direct sensitivity to energy deposition by all forms of radiation, including neutral particles; extremely low threshold for energy absorption; and a wide choice of absorber materials including materials with high neutron absorption. Near 0.3K, a space-capable detector of useful size should be able to achieve approx.150 eV of energy resolution, a substantial improvement over solid-state detectors. In addition, the use of a neutron-detecting absorber in such a detector would constitute a uniquely capable and compact neutron spectrometer. Real-time onboard neutron spectrometry would be particularly valuable for space exploration missions because secondary neutrons from incident cosmic rays are a major source of radiation hazard for interplanetary missions, and the health effects of these neutrons are strongly energy-dependent. We review the case for using these new detectors in space exploration missions and report on our ongoing development work. Author

Radiation Hazards; Bolometers; Detection; Neutron Spectrometers; Energy Transfer; Energy Absorption; Solid State Devices; Secondary Cosmic Rays; Neutral Particles

20060014067 NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL, USA

Radiation Hazards and Countermeasures for Human Space Flight

Adams, James; Proceedings of the 2004 NASA/JPLWorkshop on Physics for Planetary Exploration; [2004]; In English; See also 20060014017; No Copyright; Abstract Only; Available from CASI on CD-ROM only as part of the entire parent document

The protection of astronauts from the hazards of ionizing radiation in space is a moral and legal obligation of NASA. If there are to be manned deep-space missions, means must be found to provide this protection. There are two parts to roviding this protection: understanding the effects of space radiation on humans so that radiation exposure limits can be established; and developing countermeasures so that exposures can be kept below these limits. This talk will cover both parts of this problem. Author

Ionizing Radiation; Countermeasures; Radiation Hazards; Radiation Dosage; Manned Space Flight

Source: NASA