Estimation of the radiation effects on the astronauts for different phases of the solar cycle and shielding

Abstract:

High-energy particle fluxes make interplanetary space very a very hazardous environment. Particles originating from the Sun and outside of the solar system and induced secondary particle showers can lead to variety of damage to astronauts in short- and long- term perspective. Natural sources of radiation show a pronounced solar cycle dependence.

Currently the only habituated mission is the ISS at altitude of 400 km above the Earth. ISS is protected by the Earth magnetosphere and spacecraft. In the current study we make estimats of spacecraft parameters and astronauts damage for long-term interplanetary flights

We combined results of GEANT4 Monte-Carlo simulations and dependent models of galactic cosmic ray and solar energy particle events to calculate dose obtained with an astronaut during long-term interplanetary flight. We have shown how shield material and thickness effect on radiation field inside a spacecraft and radiation dose rate obtained with an astronaut. Bringing together numeric simulations results of galactic cosmic rays ,solar energy particle events models, and realistic models of spacecraft, we demonstrate dependence of the astronauts’ radiation dose during space flight on mission launching date and flight duration.