Microdosimeter instrument (MIDN) on MidSTAR-I

V. L. Pisacane, Q. E. Dolecek, F. Maas, M. E. Nelson, P. J. Taddei, Z. Zhao, J. F. Ziegler, P. C. Acox, M. Bender, J. D. Brown, T. Garritsen, C. Caughan, A. Hough, B. Kolb, J. Langlois, J. Ross, M. Sheggeby, D. Thomas, J. F. Dicello, F. A. CucinottaM. Zaider, A. B. Rosenfeld, A. Wroe

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

The goal of this project is to develop and test in space a solid-state microdosimeter to directly assess astronaut risk to an unknown mixed radiation field. The instrument is rugged, has low power (< 1.25W), has low mass, and utilizes low voltages (± 5V). A microdosimeter can determine in real time dose equivalent in sieverts which is the regulatory quantity used to evaluate risk and limits of radiation exposure. The lineal energy spectrum that it measures can be multiplied by lineal-energy-dependent regulatory quality factors to determine dose equivalent. An early version of the instrument (MIDN on MidSTAR-I) has been designed and built for inclusion in the MidSTAR-1 USNA student built satellite to be launched in late fall 2006. The instrument is now undergoing test and minor modifications. The DoD Space Experiment Review Board (SERB) has also identified the MIDN instrument as a candidate for inclusion on the International Space Station as an express rack payload for radiation shielding studies.

Original languageEnglish
JournalSAE Technical Papers
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
Event36th International Conference on Environmental Systems, ICES 2006 - Norfolk, VA, United States
Duration: Jul 17 2006Jul 20 2006

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Automotive Engineering
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
  • Pollution
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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