Radiation protection guidelines for space missions

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6966461

Fry, R J.M.; Nachtwey, D S

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's current radiation protection guidelines were recommended in 1970. The career limit was set at 400 rem. Today, using the same approach as in 1970, but with the current risk estimates, a considerably lower career limit would obtain. Also, there is considerably more information about the radiation environments that will be experienced in different missions than previously. Since 1970 women have joined their ranks. For these and other reasons it was considered necessary to reexamine the radiation protection guidelines. This task has been undertaken by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Scientific Committee 75 (NCRP SC 75). Below the magnetosphere the radiation environment varies with altitude and inclination of the orbit. In outer space missions galactic cosmic rays, with the small but important heavy ion component, determine the radiation environment. The new recommendations for career dose limits, based on lifetime excess risk of cancer mortality, take into account age at first exposure and sex. The career limits range from 100 rem (1.0 Sv) for a 24 year old female to 400 rem (4.0 Sv) for a 55 year old male compared to the previous single limit of 400 rem (4.0 Sv). The career limit for the lens of the eye has been reduced from 600 rem (6.0 Sv) to 400 rem (4.0 Sv). 20 refs., 1 fig., 7 tabs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Houston, TX (USA). Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6966461
• Report Number(s): CONF-861044-5; ON: DE87002815
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ASTRONAUTS
DOSE LIMITS
LIFETIME
PERSONNEL
RADIATION PROTECTION
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY STANDARDS
SEX DEPENDENCE
SPACE FLIGHT
STANDARDS