摘要:

Human exploration of Mars may be a possibility in the next twenty years. Maintaining good vision is an essential aspect of achieving a successful mission. Continuous radiation exposure is a risk factor for radiation-induced cataracts in astronauts. A compact device based on the technique of dynamic light scattering (DLS) is designed for monitoring an astronaut’s ocular health during long-duration space travel. Preliminary data on the simulated effects of ionizing radiation exposure to the ocular tissues of non-human animals and results on the sensitivity of DLS over established clinical procedures in investigating cataracts are presented. This capability of early diagnosis, unmatched by any other clinical technique in use today, may enable prompt initiation of preventive/curative therapy. An inter-net web based system integrating photon correlation data and controlling the hardware to monitor cataract development in vivo at a remote site in real time (tele-ophthalmology) is currently being developed. Cataract studies on-board the International Space Station (ISS) will be helpful in designing better protective radiation shields for future space vehicles and space suits. ©2001 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.1358076

出版商:AIP    

年代:1901

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

In support of the human exploration program, NASA is providing $33 million to the U.S. Department of Energy to construct a radiation simulator, known as the Booster Applications Facility (BAF). The BAF justification is briefly reviewed (e.g., to reduce the radiation risk uncertainties from its present factor of 4 to 15). The BAF beam specifications are provided, as are discussions of the BAF construction schedule and anticipated operating schedules (e.g., initial operation anticipated for October 1, 2002). A breakdown of the BAF construction costs is included and the operating costs are discussed (e.g., $5 to $6 million per year). The BAF laboratory layout and the various types of DOE support for the BAF are summarized, as are the peer reviews of the project. The characteristic parameters of the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron are also included. ©2001 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.1358077

出版商:AIP    

年代:1901

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

We report on the progress of a current study aimed at developing a state-of-the-art Monte-Carlo computer simulation of the space radiation environment using advanced computer software techniques recently available at CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics in Geneva, Switzerland. By taking the next-generation computer software appearing at CERN and adapting it to known problems in the implementation of space exploration strategies, this research is identifying changes necessary to bring these two advanced technologies together. The radiation transport tool being developed is tailored to the problem of taking measured space radiation fluxes impinging on the geometry of any particular spacecraft or planetary habitat and simulating the evolution of that flux through an accurate model of the spacecraft material. The simulation uses the latest known results in low-energy and high-energy physics. The output is a prediction of the detailed nature of the radiation environment experienced in space as well as the thermal neutron albedo and secondary particle albedo created by the spacecraft material itself. Beyond doing the physics transport of the incident flux using a Monte Carlo code called FLUKA, our software tool will provide a self-contained stand-alone object-oriented analysis and visualization infrastructure. The latter is known as ROOT. We will also describe the method for defining spacecraft geometries by utilizing aerospace finite element models (FEMs). ©2001 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.1358078

出版商:AIP    

年代:1901

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

The method is presented for calculating the equivalent dose inside interplanetary spacecraft. Use is made of the Russian-developed galactic cosmic ray and solar energetic particle models and SHIELD transport code. The contributions from different corpuscular radiation components to the total equivalent dose are examined as dependent on spacecraft shielding thickness. Quantitative estimates have been obtained for spacecraft on the Earth-Mars-Earth route during solar minimum and maximum. ©2001 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.1358079

出版商:AIP    

年代:1901

数据来源: AIP