Comparison of CREME (cosmic-ray effects on microelectronics) model LET (linear energy transfer) spaceflight dosimetry data

Technical Report · Tue Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:6414419

Letaw, J R; Adams, J H

The galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) component of space radiation is the dominant cause of single-event phenomena in microelectronic circuits when Earth's magnetic shielding is low. Spaceflights outside the magnetosphere and in high inclination orbits are examples of such circumstances. In high-inclination orbits, low-energy (high LET) particles are transmitted through the field only at extreme latitudes, but can dominate the orbit-averaged dose. GCR is an important part of the radiation dose to astronauts under the same conditions. As a test of the CREME environmental model and particle transport codes used to estimate single event upsets, we have compiled existing measurements of HZE doses were compiled where GCR is expected to be important: Apollo 16 and 17, Skylab, Apollo Soyuz Test Project, and Kosmos 782. The LET spectra, due to direct ionization from GCR, for each of these missions has been estimated. The resulting comparisons with data validate the CREME model predictions of high-LET galactic cosmic-ray fluxes to within a factor of two. Some systematic differences between the model and data are identified.

• Research Organization: Severn Communications Corp., Severna Park, MD (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6414419
• Report Number(s): AD-A-177873/7/XAB; SCC-86-01
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ASTRONAUTS
DOSIMETRY
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
SPACE VEHICLES
ENERGY TRANSFER
IONIZATION
MICROELECTRONICS
SKYLAB
SPACE FLIGHT
TRANSPORT
PERSONNEL
RADIATION EFFECTS
SATELLITES
VEHICLES
440200* - Radiation Effects on Instrument Components
Instruments
or Electronic Systems
640101 - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Cosmic Radiation