Cosmic-ray-induced radiation environment and dose to man for low-orbit space applications

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6015195· OSTI ID:6015195

Sandmeier, H A; Hansen, G E; Battat, M E; O'Brien, K

Neutrons and photons resulting from the interaction of galactic cosmic rays with the material of an orbiting satellite or an orbiting space station at an altitude of some few hundreds of kilometers, and below the level of the radiation belts, have been calculated as a function of geomagnetic latitude and solar activity level. The photon and neutron leakage currents from the top of the atmosphere have been computed. The radiation dose-equivalent rate to an unshielded astronaut has also been calculated. The maximum dose-equivalent rate, near the magnetic poles, was 2 mrem/h. In deep space this would amount to 18 rem/y, indicating that for a prolonged stay in space, shielding would be needed.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6015195
• Report Number(s): LA-8975-MS; ON: DE82001882; TRN: 82-000938
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ASTRONAUTS
RADIATION DOSES
SPACE VEHICLES
GAMMA RADIATION
NEUTRON FLUX
COSMIC RADIATION
DOSE EQUIVALENTS
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
NEUTRONS
PHOTON-MOLECULE COLLISIONS
PHOTONS
SOLAR ACTIVITY
BARYONS
COLLISIONS
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MOLECULE COLLISIONS
NUCLEONS
PERSONNEL
PHOTON COLLISIONS
RADIATION FLUX
RADIATIONS
VARIATIONS
VEHICLES
500300* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
560151 - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man