RADIATION MEASUREMENTS AND DOSIMETRY FOR DEEP-SPACE EXPLORATION

Abstract

Dosimetry and radiation monitoring are key factors for the planning of future human exploration on deep-space missions outside of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), as radiation exposure poses one of the major health risks for astronauts in deep space. The amount of radiation dose astronauts would accumulate during typical mission scenarios and durations can potentially exceed currently allowable exposure limits within months. In space radiation monitoring the three main areas of concern are: 1) high-energy and deeplypenetrating Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs); 2) impulsive Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) eventswith high flux intensities up to a few hundred MeVs; and 3) secondary neutrons created by interactions of primary radiation with spacecraft material or planetary atmospheres and soils. Furthermore, in-situ radiation measurements provide invaluable input for radiation transport models that are used to calculate expected radiation exposures and shielding effectiveness, and subsequently potential health risks for future deep-space mission scenarios.