NASA Radiation Operations Sources, Models, and Standards

Space radiation is one of the major challenges of spaceflight. Astronauts spending time in low Earth orbit, the lunar surface, deep space, and elsewhere will all be exposed to multiple space radiation sources. These sources include trapped radiation in Earth’s upper atmosphere, solar energetic particles, and the omnipresent galactic cosmic radiation, as well as non-ionizing radiation from inside and outside a vehicle or habitat. The Space Radiation Analysis Group (SRAG) at Johnson Space Center is responsible for ensuring astronauts are protected from short- and long-term risks of radiation exposure. This talk details the radiation operational standards employed by NASA.