Space Radiation Guide

The Space Radiation Guide is intended to be a reliable, easily understood handbook that will provide the reader with sufficient knowledge of the nature of space radiations to permit him to comprehend the total space radiation problem as it pertains to the hazards of manned space flight. The report is not intended to provide answers to all the problems, but, instead, to present much of the factual data currently known and to point out areas where information is sketchy and inconclusive. The radiations considered are cosmic rays, solar radiation, and the geomagnetically trapped (Van Allen) radiations. Included are chapters on instruments used for measuring these radiations, on shielding techniques, and on biological effects. (Author).

The Space Radiation Guide is intended to be a reliable, easily understood handbook that will provide the reader with sufficient knowledge of the nature of space radiations to permit him to comprehend the total space radiation problem as it pertains to the hazards of manned space flight. The report is not intended to provide answers to all the problems, but, instead, to present much of the factual data currently known and to point out areas where information is sketchy and inconclusive. The radiations considered are cosmic rays, solar radiation, and the geomagnetically trapped (Van Allen) radiations. Included are chapters on instruments used for measuring these radiations, on shielding techniques, and on biological effects.

Space missions subject human beings or any other target of a spacecraft to a radiation environment of an intensity and composition not available on earth. Whereas for missions in low earth orbit (LEO), such as those using the Space Shuttle or Space Station scenario, radiation exposure guidelines have been developed and have been adopted by spacefaring agencies, for exploratory class missions that will take the space travellers outside the protective confines of the geomagnetic field sufficient guidelines for radiation protection are still outstanding. For a piloted Mars mission, the whole concept of radiation protection needs to be reconsidered. Since there is an increasing interest of many nations and space agencies in establishing a lunar base and lor exploring Mars by manned missions, it is both, timely and important to develop appropriate risk estimates and radiation protection guidelines which will have an influence on the design and structure of space vehicles and habitation areas of the extraterrestrial settlements. This book is the result of a multidisciplinary effort to assess the state of art in our knowledge on the radiation situation during deep space missions and on the impact of this complex radiation environment on the space traveller. It comprises the lectures by the faculty members as well as short contributions by the students given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute "Biological Effects and Physics of Solar and Galactic Cosmic Radiation" held in Armacao de Pera, Portugal, 12-23 October, 1991.

This book was made possible by NASA Living With a Star grant number NNG06EC631.

Space missions subject human beings or any other target of a spacecraft to a radiation environment of an intensity and composition not available on earth. Whereas for missions in low earth orbit (LEO), such as those using the Space Shuttle or Space Station scenario, radiation exposure guidelines have been developed and have been adopted by spacefaring agencies, for exploratory class missions that will take the space travellers outside the protective confines of the geomagnetic field sufficient guidelines for radiation protection are still outstanding. For a piloted Mars mission, the whole concept of radiation protection needs to be reconsidered. Since there is an increasing interest ci many nations and space agencies in establishing a lunar base and lor exploring Mars by manned missions, it is both, timely and important to develop appropriate risk estimates and radiation protection guidelines which will have an influence on the design and structure of space vehicles and habitation areas of the extraterrestrial settlements. This book is the result of a multidisciplinary effort to assess the state of art in our knowledge on the radiation situation during deep space missions and on the impact of this complex radiation environment on the space traveller. ]t comprises the lectures by the faculty members as well as short contributions by the students given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute "Biological Effects and Physics of Solar and Galactic Cosmic Radiation" held in Armacao de Pera, Portugal, 12-23 October, 1991.

This brief explores the biological effects of long-term radiation on astronauts in deep space. As missions progress beyond Earth's orbit and away from the protection of its magnetic shielding, astronauts risk constant exposure to higher levels of galactic cosmic rays and solar particle events. The text concisely addresses the full spectrum of biomedical consequences from exposure to space radiation and goes on to present possible ways to mitigate such dangers and protect astronauts within the limitations of existing technologies.