Radiation exposure and dose estimates for a nuclear-powered manned Mars SPRINT mission. [Pb; Al; LiH; H d2O]
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA (USA)
- Flight Mechanics Control, Inc., Hampton, VA (USA)
- Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (USA)
- University Research Foundation, Greenbelt, MD (USA)
A conceptual manned mission to Mars is analyzed in order to estimate potential ionizing radiation doses that may be incurred by crew members during the course of the mission. The scenario is set for a journey during the solar active period and includes a brief stay on the Martian surface. Propulsion is assumed to be provided by nuclear thermal rocket power, and estimates of the dose contributions from the reactors are included. However, due to effective shielding of the reactors by large propellant tanks, it is found that the incurred doses are principally due to the charged particle natural environment. Recent data (August-December 1989) for large solar proton events are used to simulate the flare environment, while standard models are used for the trapped particle and galactic cosmic ray contributions. Shield effectiveness for several candidate materials are investigated.
- OSTI ID:
- 5449490
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-910116--
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States), Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States) Vol. 217:2; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPC
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
655003* -- Medical Physics-- Dosimetry
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM
BARYONS
COSMIC RADIATION
DOSE RATES
DOSES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
FERMIONS
HADRONS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LEAD
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM HYDRIDES
MARS SPACE PROBES
METALS
NUCLEONS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROTONS
RADIATION BELTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATIONS
SHIELDING
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR FLARES
SOLAR PARTICLES
SOLAR PROTONS
SOLAR RADIATION
SPACE VEHICLES
STELLAR RADIATION
VEHICLES
WATER