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Validation of the galactic cosmic ray and geomagnetic transmission modelsA very high-momentum resolution particle spectrometer called the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) was flown in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle in a 51.65 degrees x 380-km orbit during the last solar minimum. This spectrometer has provided the first high statistics data set for galactic cosmic radiation protons, and helium, as well as limited spectral data on carbon and oxygen nuclei in the International Space Station orbit. First measurements of the albedo protons at this inclination were also made. Because of the high-momentum resolution and high statistics, the data can be separated as a function of magnetic latitude. A related investigation, the balloon borne experiment with a superconducting solenoid spectrometer (BESS), has been flown from Lynn Lake, Canada and has also provided excellent high-resolution data on protons and helium. These two data sets have been used here to study the validity of two galactic cosmic ray models and the geomagnetic transmission function developed from the 1990 geomagnetic reference field model. The predictions of both the CREME96 and NASA/JSC models are in good agreement with the AMS data. The shape of the AMS measured albedo proton spectrum, up to 2 GeV, is in excellent agreement with the previous balloon and satellite observations. A new LIS spectrum was developed that is consistent with both previous and new BESS 3He observations. Because the astronaut radiation exposures onboard ISS will be highest around the time of the solar minimum, these AMS measurements and these models provide important benchmarks for future radiation studies. AMS-02 slated for launch in September 2003, will provide even better momentum resolution and higher statistics data. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Document ID
20040088453
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Badhwar, G. D.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston TX United States)
Truong, A. G.
O'Neill, P. M.
Choutko, V.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 2001
Publication Information
Publication: Radiation measurements
Volume: 33
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1350-4487
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
unmanned
manned
STS-91 Shuttle Project
Flight Experiment
NASA Discipline Radiation Health
short duration
Balloon Flight
NASA Center JSC

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