Differential neutron energy spectra measured on spacecraft low Earth orbit
- Institute of Biomedical Problems, Moscow (Russian Federation)
Two methods for measuring neutrons in the range from thermal energies to dozens of MeV were used. In the first method, alpha-particles emitted from the (sup 6) Li(n,x)T reaction are detected with the help of plastic nuclear track detectors, yielding results on thermal and resonance neutrons. Also, fission foils are used to detect fast neutrons. In the second method, fast neutrons are recorded by nuclear photographic emulsions (NPE). The results of measurements on board various satellites are presented. The neutron flux density does not appear to correlate clearly with orbital parameters. Up to 50% of neutrons are due to albedo neutrons from the atmosphere while the fluxes inside the satellites are 15-20% higher than those on the outside. Estimates show that the neutron contribution to the total equivalent radiation dose reaches 20-30%.
- Research Organization:
- San Francisco Univ., CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 64259
- Report Number(s):
- N-95-25911; NASA-CR-197694; NAS-1.26:197694; TRN: 9525932
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Mar 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of High LET, passive space radiation dosimetry and spectrometry; Benton, E.V.; Frank, A.L.; Benton, E.R.; Keegan, R.P.; Frigo, L.A.; Sanner, D.; Rowe, V.; PB: 356 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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