One of the significant differences between the spaceflight experience in low Earth orbit and that on interplanetary missions is the exposure to a different radiation environment. Galactic cosmic radiation and solar particle events will be encountered without the protection of Earth’s magnetic field. This poses a major challenge to the missions and could be a showstopper for interplanetary missions if proper ways to deal with the radiation are not found.
 
But it is hard to stop a really high-energy cosmic ray - an atomic fragment, perhaps the relic of a distant supernova explosion that zips through our Solar System at very close to light speed. A single particle, smaller than an atom, can carry energies equivalent to a tennis ball served by a world champion. It does little good to build a thicker hull: secondary radiation created when cosmic rays crash into the metal can actually do more damage still. So manned interplanetary ships may need to carry with them some kind of magnetic shield - a miniature of the Earth's own.

In all radiation risk assessments however big uncertainties exist. One of the greatest contributing factors to this uncertainty is limited knowledge about the real biological effects of the radiation encountered. Therefore work is needed to study these effects. This is not only of direct relevance for human beings on board a spacecraft, but will also play a role in advanced life support systems for example, using microbes and/or plants, potential pathogenic microbes on board etc.

The foreseen study will prepare for the actual research to be performed. It will consist of a review of current knowledge of radiation effects taking into account the results of previous studies performed under ESA contracts, a survey of existing European accelerators including a discussion of their suitability for the required research and a discussion of the best-suited ways to organise future research.  
 

Start Expected or actual duration Status Prime contractor Feb. '06 9 months Ongoing

 
Abstract

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Last update: 6 February 2007