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Uncertainties in radiation effect predictions for the natural radiation environments of spaceFuture manned missions beyond low earth orbit require accurate predictions of the risk to astronauts and to critical systems from exposure to ionizing radiation. For low-level exposures, the hazards are dominated by rare single-event phenomena where individual cosmic-ray particles or spallation reactions result in potentially catastrophic changes in critical components. Examples might be a biological lesion leading to cancer in an astronaut or a memory upset leading to an undesired rocket firing. The risks of such events appears to depend on the amount of energy deposited within critical sensitive volumes of biological cells and microelectronic components. The critical environmental information needed to estimate the risks posed by the natural space environments, including solar flares, is the number of times more than a threshold amount of energy for an event will be deposited in the critical microvolumes. These predictions are complicated by uncertainties in the natural environments, particularly the composition of flares, and by the effects of shielding. Microdosimetric data for large numbers of orbits are needed to improve the environmental models and to test the transport codes used to predict event rates.
Document ID
19940039131
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Mcnulty, P. J.
(Clemson University Clemson, SC, USA, United States)
Stassinopoulos, E. G.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, USA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Life Sciences and Space Research 25 (2) Radiation Biology: Topical Meeting of the COSPAR Interdisciplinary Scientific Commission F of the COSPAR 29th Plenary Meeting, Washington, DC, Aug. 28-Sep. 5, 1
Volume: 14
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
94A62580
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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