Radiation exposure and dose estimates for a nuclear-powered manned Mars sprint missionA conceptual manned mission to Mars is analyzed in order to estimate potential ionizing radiation doses that may be incurred by crew members during the course of the mission. The scenario is set for a journey during the solar active period and includes a brief stay on the Martian surface. Propulsion is assumed to be provided by nuclear thermal rocket power, and estimates of the dose contributions from the reactors are included. However, due to effective shielding of the reactors by large propellant tanks, it is found that the incurred doses are principally due to the charged particle natural environment. Recent data (August-December 1989) for large solar proton events are used to simulate the flame environment, while standard models are used for the trapped particle and galactic cosmic ray contributions. Shield effectiveness for several candidate materials are investigated.
Document ID
19930029820
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Nealy, John E. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Simonsen, Lisa C. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Wilson, John W. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Townsend, Lawrence W. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Schnitzler, Bruce G. (Idaho National Engineering Lab. Idaho Falls, United States)
Qualls, Garry D. (Flight Mechanics and Control, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Gates, Michele M. (Univ. Research Foundation Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: In: Space nuclear power systems; Proceedings of the 8th Symposium, Albuquerque, NM, Jan. 6-10, 1991. Pt. 2 (A93-13751 03-20)