Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
2668723
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Method for the prediction of the effective dose equivalent to the crew of the International Space Station
Author(s)
El-Jaby, S; Tomi, L; Sihver, L; Sato, T; Richardson, RB; Lewis, BJ
Year
2014
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Advances in Space Research
ISSN:
0273-1177
Volume
53
Issue
5
Page Numbers
810-817
DOI
10.1016/j.asr.2013.12.022
Web of Science Id
WOS:000333004000010
Abstract
This paper describes a methodology for assessing the pre-mission exposure of space crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in terms of an effective dose equivalent. In this approach, the PHITS Monte Carlo code was used to assess the particle transport of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) and trapped radiation for solar maximum and minimum conditions through an aluminum shield thickness. From these predicted spectra, and using fluence-to-dose conversion factors, a scaling ratio of the effective dose equivalent rate to the ICRU ambient dose equivalent rate at a 10 mm depth was determined. Only contributions from secondary neutrons, protons, and alpha particles were considered in this analysis.
Measurements made with a tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) located at Service Module panel 327, as captured through a semi-empirical correlation in the ISSCREM code, where then scaled using this conversion factor for prediction of the effective dose equivalent. This analysis shows that at this location within the service module, the total effective dose equivalent is 10-30% less than the total TEPC dose equivalent. Approximately 75-85% of the effective dose equivalent is derived from the OCR. This methodology provides an opportunity for pre-flight predictions of the effective dose equivalent and therefore offers a means to assess the health risks of radiation exposure on ISS flight crew. Crown copyright (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of COSPAR. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Effective dose equivalent; ISS; Predictive model; GCR; Trapped radiation; PHITS
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity